The 5G Myth: Why Your Phone Isn’t Always on True 5G
Why Your Phone’s 5G Symbol Doesn’t Always Mean Real 5G
You might think that seeing the 5G icon on your smartphone guarantees lightning-fast internet speeds — but new findings suggest that’s not always true.
When 5G launched five years ago, it was marketed as a revolution in mobile connectivity — offering ultra-fast downloads, seamless streaming, and near-instant response times. Governments and telecom operators poured billions into 5G infrastructure. However, progress has been slower than expected, partly because 5G signals travel shorter distances and require many more masts to maintain coverage.
According to recent research by PolicyTracker, shared with BBC’s Morning Live, the 5G symbol can be misleading. Tests revealed that almost 40% of the time, phones displaying the 5G icon are actually connected to 4G networks. In other words, users may be paying for 5G service — but receiving 4G speeds.
While 5G technology theoretically supports download speeds up to 20,000 Mbps (enough to download several HD movies in seconds), real-world performance often falls far short.
Mobile operators are now introducing “standalone 5G”, a true 5G experience that doesn’t rely on older 4G infrastructure. However, accessing it typically requires specific devices and premium plans that come at a higher cost.
