Today, 5G is guaranteed on most new phones, even budget Android phones. Even if you don't know exactly what it does, you know that a good 5G connection is necessary for fast data downloads. However, 5G takes many forms that make understanding the concept confusing.
5G UW, 5G UC, and 5G Plus are Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T’s respective names for their high-band networks, but they’re not identical despite using the same technology. If you’ve upgraded to a 5G-enabled phone like the Google Pixel 6a, this guide tells you everything you need to know about 5G technology and what it means for your phone.
What is 5G?
5G is the latest global wireless standard (following the aptly named 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G versions). It's the newest way to communicate and download data over cellular networks.
The best way to explain 5G is to explain the differences between 5G and 4G. 5G has introduced higher Gb/s data speeds, lower latency and improved bandwidth. In general, it is faster and better than 4G.
But before we get into the differences between 5G UW, 5GUC, and 5G Plus, you'll need to understand the types of 5G bands that carriers use.
5G offers a faster experience, but it doesn't guarantee a consistent connection. Maximum download speed varies significantly between locations depending on the bandwidth you access. These bands are divided by frequencies and form the three versions of 5G. They are called high band, mid band and low band.
Low band (below 1 GHz) is comparable to 4G LTE speeds but offers more coverage. This is because its signal can penetrate obstacles over long distances. If you're connected to a 5G network outside of a major population center, it's likely to be low-band.
High band (between 30 and 300 GHz, also known as mmWave) has the speed to download a movie in seconds, but this comes at a cost. Even the smallest obstacle can impede a high-bandwidth connection. However, the FCC is expanding the range of high-band frequencies to minimize these problems.
The mid-band (between 1 and 7 GHz) has been the main driver of 5G rollout . It forms the backbone of connectivity, with a good mix of coverage and capacity. Within this band, the US uses the 3.7 to 4.2 Ghz band, also known as band C. This is the most important 5G band.
What is the difference between 5G UW, 5GUC and 5Ge?
Once the foundation of 5G was established, operators had to decide which bands they wanted to invest in. Due to the limited coverage of high-band 5G, all three carriers have bundled their high-band and mid-band services. These services are 5G UW, 5GUC and 5G Plus. When you are connected to one of these networks, an icon representing it appears on your phone.
5G UW from Verizon
5G UW stands for 5G Ultra Wideband, which includes Verizon's high- and mid-band networks. Your coverage is limited , so you'll have a hard time finding a reliable UW connection outside of cities. If you are connected to the UW network, the icon 5G UW will appear on your phone. It's hard to tell whether you're on the high-bandwidth or low-bandwidth network, but unless you need to download a large file, this shouldn't be a problem.
Verizon's low-band network is called Verizon Nationwide and has better coverage than 5G UW. However, it's not much faster than 4G LTE, so don't expect anything special. You'll know when you're signed in to Nationwide because the icon 5G will appear on your phone.
T-Mobile UC 5G
T-Mobile's 5G Ultra Capacity network compromises its high-band and mid-band networks and is limited to cover the main cities . The icon 5G UC appears on your phone when connected, and like Verizon, you'll have to guess to determine whether you're connected to the mid-band or high-band network.
If you're not in an area covered by 5G UC, you'll likely connect to the 5G Extended Range network. This is not much faster than 4G LTE and is indicated by the icon 5G on your phone.
AT&T 5G Plus
AT&T has organized its 5G networks similarly to T-Mobile and Verizon, but its high-band and mid-band service, 5G Plus, doesn't come close to the coverage of 5G UC and 5G UW. You'll only find it in some airports and stadiums in the USA , so unless you're attending an event or taking a flight, you'll only find 5G service. You will notice the icon 5G+ when connected to 5G Plus.
You may have come across the term 5Ge. This misleading term stood for 5G Evolution and referred to AT&T's 4G LTE service. Confusion over this name has forced it to remove the term from its advertising materials. You will still see the 5Ge on phones, but don't be fooled. It is equivalent to 4G LTE.
Too many terms that mean the same things
Once you strip away the marketing speak, all of these fancy terms and abbreviations mean roughly the same thing. There’s not much to differentiate Verizon’s 5G UW and T-Mobile’s 5G UC, so if you’re debating between the two, you won’t notice much of a difference in speeds. AT&T customers, on the other hand, should expect limited coverage.
Phones with 5G support are common these days, and all the best Android phones support sub-6GHz. This means you'll be able to take advantage of low- and mid-band 5G networks from all major carriers.
