What is 5G?
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5G is available at no extra cost on all iD Mobile plans. It is the next evolution of mobile technology, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than 4G.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It is significantly faster than 4G, provides a more reliable signal in busy areas, and reduces buffering when streaming high-definition video or making video calls.
How does 5G work?
5G utilizes higher frequency bandwidths to transmit data more efficiently. A helpful way to visualize this is to think of a motorway:
- 4G is like a standard road. It works well, but it can get congested when there is too much traffic (too many people trying to connect at once).
- 5G is like a motorway with hundreds of lanes. It can handle significantly more traffic moving at much higher speeds without slowing down.
This increased capacity means you get a strong, consistent signal even in crowded places like stadiums, train stations, or city centres.
How will I know that I’m on 5G?
To access 5G, you need two things:
- A 5G-compatible phone.
- To be in a 5G coverage area.
When you are connected, you will see a 5G icon in the status bar at the top of your screen. If you leave a 5G area, your phone will seamlessly switch to the best available 4G signal.
Please note: If you are connected to Wi-Fi, the 5G icon will usually disappear. You must disconnect from Wi-Fi to check your mobile network status.
Am I in a 5G area?
iD Mobile 5G is available in hundreds of locations across the UK and is constantly expanding. To check if you have coverage in your area, use our coverage checker here.
Does 5G use more data than 4G?
Technically, no. A 3GB movie file is the same size whether you download it on 4G or 5G.
However, because 5G is so fast, you might find yourself using more data simply because you can do more in less time. For example, downloading a movie might take 40 minutes on 4G, but could take around 35 seconds on 5G. Because content loads instantly, you may consume more media without realizing it.
Can I run out of 5G data?
Yes. Your data allowance is shared across 5G, 4G, and 3G. If you have a capped data plan, using 5G to download large files quickly will use up your allowance just as fast.
You can check your remaining data at any time via the iD Mobile app or at my.idmobile.co.uk.
Is 5G safe?
Yes. 5G adheres to the same strict safety guidelines as 4G, 3G, and 2G. Ofcom and the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) carry out extensive testing to ensure that mobile signals remain within safe levels.
