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

littlepace1
Contributor
Contributor

Hi

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

4 REPLIES 4
bristolian
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

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.

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.

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.

XRaySpeX
EE Community Star
EE Community Star

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

If you think I helped please feel free to hit the "Thumbs Up" button below.

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