Getting to know 5G Evolution is key in the mobile tech world today. AT&T rolled out 5G E, aiming for faster network speeds and better connection. But some users think the term is confusing. They say 5G E implies it’s just like real 5G. In truth, it’s more about boosting 4G LTE. The speeds you get average around 30 Mbps, with highs of 1 Gbps.
This piece gives you the real scoop on 5G E. We’re unpacking the marketing talk that mixes 5G with 5G E. Find out how this affects your phone use. Learn what to really expect when you use this tech daily.
What is 5G E?
Before we get into the details, it’s key to grasp what 5G E means. It’s a term AT&T coined, known as AT&T 5G Evolution. This isn’t real 5G but an enhanced 4G LTE network.
An icon appears on devices with iOS 12.2 or newer to indicate a 5G E connection. This signals they’re on AT&T’s advanced 4G network which brings faster data speeds. However, don’t be fooled by the “5G” name; we’re still talking about advanced LTE technology, not actual 5G.
AT&T’s Marketing Tactic
AT&T chose to market their network as 5G E, causing quite a stir. This move suggests they’re ahead in the 5G game. The 5G E name is more of a marketing strategy for their LTE Advanced Pro network. It lights it in a positive way.
With an iOS 12.2 update, devices like the iPhone 8 show a 5G E icon, ditching the old LTE one. This approach has sparked debates on honesty since the speeds can’t match true 5G yet. Despite that, AT&T boasts their enhanced network covers over 400 markets and reaches more than 200 million people as of mid-2019. They promise speeds around 40 megabits per second.
Enhanced 4G LTE Features
The 5G E network has some added features that step up from regular LTE. These include carrier aggregation, 256-QAM, and MIMO antennas. These improve the speed and efficiency of data transfer, fitting the “Evolution” tag of 5G E.
Yet, when put to the test, AT&T’s 5G E speeds often match or fall short of Verizon and T-Mobile’s enhanced 4G. True 5G will roll out in the next few years. Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile are working on their 5G, while Apple aims to release 5G iPhones in the 2020 iPhone 12 series.
Is 5G E True 5G?
AT&T’s “5G Evolution” or 5G E, started in 2017. It aimed to improve mobile networks. However, it’s different from real 5G. 5G E’s top speeds hit about 400Mbps. True 5G speeds can soar up to 10 Gbps. Despite AT&T promoting 5G E in over 400 markets by 2018’s end, it’s not the same as 5G.
In 2020, the National Advertising Review Board had advice for AT&T. They suggested AT&T should stop calling it “5G Evolution” in ads. This was because it might confuse consumers. T-Mobile and Verizon also said AT&T’s name choice was confusing.
True 5G is a leap in mobile technology. It needs new hardware and plans. It brings benefits like low delays and supports lots of devices at once. Also, it uses a wide range of the RF spectrum. Plus, 5G lets networks be customized for better performance. This is great for things like smart factories.
5G E makes 4G LTE better but misses out on 5G’s new features. Most carriers, like AT&T, use old networks to make 5G E faster. This is cheaper than building new 5G networks from scratch.
So, 5G E isn’t the same as 5G. They are very different in what they offer. People wanting the full 5G experience should know this. They should not be tricked by marketing terms.
What Does 5G E Mean for Your Mobile Experience?
It’s important to know what 5G E means for you. Though it says 5G, it’s not the full 5G tech you hear about. Let’s look into how 5G E differs from real 5G, its effect on your speeds, and what those symbols on your phone mean.
Differences between 5G E and Real 5G
First, you should know 5G E is a term AT&T made for improved 4G services. It’s called 5G Evolution. While not true 5G that uses very high frequencies, 5G E updates older 4G tech. It does this with better carrier setups, advanced MIMO, and higher modulation.
So, 5G E boosts regular 4G LTE, but it doesn’t give the super-fast speeds or big capacity of genuine 5G.
Impact on Download and Upload Speeds
Looking at network tech shows a big speed gap between 5G E and 5G. Downloading a movie? On real 5G, it’s super quick, under a second. On the best 4G LTE, it takes about 10 minutes. 5G E is quicker than normal 4G, but can’t match 5G’s speed.
5G E makes your connection better than standard 4G but doesn’t transform it like true 5G does.
Understanding the Icons on Your Device
The icons on your phone are another point to think about. The 5G E symbol might seem like you’re on a 5G network, but you’re not. These icons mean you’re on a better version of 4G LTE, not 5G. Knowing this helps avoid confusion over your network service.
Public Reaction and Controversies Surrounding 5G E
AT&T’s switch from 4G LTE Advanced Pro to 5G E led to a big controversy. Customers thought they were on a real 5G network. This caused a lot of confusion and unhappy consumer feedback.
AT&T’s ads for 5G E have sparked a lot of talks. Competitors like Verizon call it misleading marketing. They say 5G E might be faster than 4G, but it’s not real 5G. This has made people see AT&T and 5G technology in a bad light.
A study showed AT&T’s 5G E network is slower than others’ 4G. It’s drawn criticism and calls for clearer ads. Still, AT&T defends its 5G E, saying it’s a step towards a true 5G network in 19 cities in the U.S.
The 5G E debate isn’t new to the tech world. T-Mobile once called their better 3G service 4G. Even so, people expect clear, honest info from their carriers.
AT&T hopes to bring out the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G soon. They want to grow their 5G service. But the 5G E backlash shows they need to be more upfront in their advertising. Being honest about network tech is key to keeping trust and leading the way in 5G talks.
Technical Aspects Behind 5G E
The 5G Evolution, or 5G E, builds on the 4G LTE network. It uses new technologies to boost speed and connectivity. These upgrades make your mobile experience better and faster.
Carrier Aggregation and MIMO Technology
Carrier aggregation is vital for 5G E. It merges different frequency bands to increase bandwidth. This results in faster data speeds for you. By using this, AT&T’s 5G E improves internet speed and stability.
MIMO antennas are another key part. They enhance the connection between your device and the network. With 4×4 MIMO, 5G E supports more data streams at once. This leads to better signal quality and faster speeds. It’s a major upgrade within the 4G LTE network.
256-QAM Modulation
5G E also uses 256-QAM to increase data efficiency. This technology lets more bits be sent in each signal. It means faster download and upload speeds for you. This makes streaming smoother and file transfers quicker.
5G E combines these technologies to improve 4G LTE. It’s a big step forward, but still a bridge to true 5G. Despite its benefits, speed tests show AT&T’s 5G E is sometimes slower than Verizon and T-Mobile’s LTE. This is true in places like New York City.
Comparison: 5G E vs True 5G
When we look at 5G E and true 5G, we see big differences. These include data speeds, network design, and what they can do. 4G LTE technology evolved into AT&T’s 5G E. But it’s not the same as the advanced 5G technology.
The speed of the networks is a major difference. True 5G networks offered by T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T can work much faster with less delay. T-Mobile has the quickest 5G download speed at 220.70 Mbps, says Ookla’s report for Q1 2023. Verizon and AT&T follow. However, AT&T’s 5GE network can’t match these speeds. It’s often slower than the best 4G LTE networks.
True 5G’s 5G infrastructure can support lots of devices at once. This opens the door for new tech like IoT, self-driving cars, and smart cities. Things 5G E can’t do. True 5G uses a special spectrum and cutting-edge tech like millimeter waves. It also uses small cells for better performance.
AT&T does have a wide 5G network, covering over 24,000 U.S. locations. Their 5G+ network is in parts of over 50 cities. It also reaches more than 70 event spots and airports. But, T-Mobile and Verizon’s true 5G shows more reach and faster speeds. T-Mobile covers 71.1% of the U.S., and Verizon covers 37.6%.
To wrap up, 5G E is an improvement over 4G LTE, but it’s not on par with true 5G. True 5G uses a more complex and powerful system. It will bring tech changes that 5G E can’t match.
Conclusion
In wrapping up our talk on 5G E, it’s key to spot the differences from real 5G networks. While 5G E does improve over regular 4G LTE, it doesn’t hit the high marks set by actual 5G technology. Real 5G could speed up data to 10 gigabits per second, way faster than 4G, and has super low latency.
Knowing the real scoop on 5G E helps you make smarter choices about your phone use. It’s crucial to see 5G E for what it is: a better 4G LTE but not quite 5G. As true 5G rolls out worldwide, expect way better speeds for both download and upload, with US cities seeing average speeds up a lot.
The world’s move to 5G is picking up speed, with tons of connections expected in the next few years. This change shows why it’s important to know the difference between real 5G and stuff like 5G E. By staying in the know, you’re set to get the most out of the real 5G leap, entering a new phase of mobile tech and connectivity.
