topic Re: Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?) in Mobile Broadband

Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?)

littlepace1 — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:52:42 GMT

I'm curently on a 4G EE broadband setup. Data only SIM with an extrernal antenna outside to boost the signal. Recently I've noticed I can get 5G outside on mobile. The signal isn't great but outdoors on mobile I've seen speeds over 100Mbps. Although I pretty much can't get anything indoors on mobile. Only outdoor.

Basically I'm asking where do I go from here? I obviously need a new antenna if i want to go to 5G. But it's not something advertised on EEs shop anywhere that I can see. I could purchase one from a third party but I have zero idea on how to install something like that. Do EE offer any sort of installation service for this kind of thing? What if I go through the installation rigmarole and find out the 5G is too unreliable and not worth it over 4G? Will the new antenna still be just as functional for a 4G connection? I was under the assumption they were two different types of Antenna.

Thanks

Re: Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?)

bristolian — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:57:19 GMT

What antenna are you using currently?

Normally they're designed around frequency bands, not radio access technologies.

4G operates on 800Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz & 2600Mhz depending on individual sites.

5G operates on 700Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz & 3500Mhz.

Re: Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?)

littlepace1 — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:59:06 GMT

Unfortunately I have no idea. A third party company provided and set it up many years ago. And it's mounted up too high for me to get to.

Re: Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?)

bristolian — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 20:03:14 GMT

Hard to advise then. But as mentioned, antennas are not technology-specific, they are frequency-specific.

A "5G antenna" may have support for the 3.5Ghz high-band, but otherwise 700 & 800Mhz can usually use the same setup - same goes for 1800Mhz & 2100Mhz.

Re: Moving from 4G to 5G (Where to start?)

XRaySpeX — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 22:01:19 GMT

It's not just an aerial! If you're using a 4GEE mobile router, you'll need to buy a 5G router too.