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5G VS 5GHz - What's The Difference?

Updated: Jun 22, 2023

Let's Clear Up The Differences Between 5G and 5GHz


What type of internet connection are you using? Is it based on cellular network technology, a wired connection, or a wireless router? Chances are if you're here you want to know about 5 GHz Wi-Fi vs 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi. Is the Wi-Fi network at your home or office 5G? What about your phone? Will 5G necessitate the construction of more towers? In branding and marketing, the planned and unintentional blending of numerous similar phrases has generated misunderstanding. Let me begin by answering a few of your questions:


A large white cellular tower with blue sky.

5GHz is available on your home network. Your home router most likely does not use a 5G internet connection, which is the current wireless carrier standard.

To receive a 5G connection and faster speeds, you'll need a phone that supports the technology from 2019 or later. Let's look at the similarities and differences between 5G and 5 GHz Wi-Fi


What's The Difference Between 5HGz And 5G?


Let's start with 5GHz Wi-Fi. It's been around since 1999, but it really took off when 802.11n home routers were released in 2009. It is currently supported by almost every Wi-Fi device and modern router.


The 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and 5GHz frequency bands are the most often used in Wi-Fi routers as well as the newly adopted Wi-Fi 6. Because most devices use the 2.4GHz band, there are only three open clean channels, and the 2.4GHz band is shared by Bluetooth, remote controls, and microwave ovens, the 2.4GHz band can become extremely congested, resulting in extremely slow speeds.


Although 5GHz Wi-Fi has more channels and can often operate quicker, its range is less than that of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. If you have the option, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi in your home.


At this point, things start to get a little complicated. The phrase "5G Wi-Fi" is commonly used when referring to 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is not a 5G network. 5G is referring to a type of cellular technology to give you a data connection.


So, What's The Deal?


The new generation of cellular networks is referred to as 5G because it is the fifth generation. The term "5G(Hz)" refers to a frequency range of five gigahertz in Wi-Fi jargon. As a result, misunderstanding exists between 5th generation cellular (5G) and Wi-Fi using the 5GHz frequency. Both would be a type of wireless technology however, they are very different ways of achieving the same thing. The two are similar but not interchangeable.


5G is defined by a set of specifications, and the industry has chosen 5G NR ("new radio") as the standard technology to meet those criteria. 5G NR is a more efficient generation of data transmission technology than previous generations. It has lower latency while talking with remote servers, can handle more data overall, and can be utilized on more devices simultaneously than 4G. 4G has slower speeds than 5G mobile networks but the vast majority of people are still slow to adopt 5G. 5G is able to accomplish faster speeds on many wireless devices by utilizing the more powerful chips that modern-day phones currently have in comparison to when the 4G standard was introduced in 2009. Simply said, if you want 5G on your phone, you may need to upgrade since it is fast becoming the cellular standard.


In Conclusion


5G is for Cellular networks and 5GHz typically is in reference to home Wi-Fi. We know when it comes to tech things can easily get confusing. And when you are dealing with two means of communication with almost identical names, it is easy to confuse the two. But hopefully, we helped clear some things up about the two technologies. So next time somebody asks you what the difference is you will have the answer ready! Did we clear things up for you? Let us know below.


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