How to Determine 5G Availability in Your Area

To determine if there is a 5G network available in your area, follow these steps:

1. Contact Your Mobile Network Operator

Most major UK mobile network operators provide 5G services in selected cities. They often have detailed information about 5G coverage on their websites and mobile apps.

2. Use a Coverage Map

Many carriers offer coverage maps that visualize 5G availability in your area. These maps can be instrumental in understanding the extent of 5G coverage within different regions.

3. Check Your Phone's Settings

If you have a 5G-capable phone, navigate to your network settings and verify if it's connected to a 5G network. This is a quick way to ascertain if 5G is accessible in your immediate surroundings.

4. Conduct a Speed Test

Perform a speed test using a reliable app or website to check your internet speed. If you are connected to a 5G network, you should experience significantly faster speeds compared to 4G.

Using 5G Coverage Checkers

Outside the UK, a simple method to check for 5G availability is to switch your phone network from 4G to 5G. Your phone will provide a response that indicates whether or not 5G is available.

Another reliable tool is 5G Coverage Checker. It provides general information for your postcode and links to mobile providers’ specific details. This resource can be particularly helpful if you're not from the UK and cannot access UK-specific information.

Understanding 5G in Local Areas

The availability of 5G in your local area can be more narrow and fragmented due to the infrastructure's development. In the Fenway area of Boston, for example, 5G is available on some equipment, such as small cell beam-forming antennas. However, in a nearby suburb, these antennas are not maintained, potentially leading to suboptimal performance or non-functional connections.

Proper maintenance and calibration of these small cell antennas are crucial to ensure reliable and safe 5G signals. The local town has recently enacted ordinances to control antenna installations, but these may not be strictly enforced. Telecom companies may bypass these restrictions in certain areas, as permitted by federal laws that facilitate the installation of 5G infrastructure.

Personal Experiences with 5G

One user tested 5G on their iPhone 8 (which is not 5G-enabled), and despite receiving a strong signal, Verizon informed them that 5G was not available in their area. This disconnect between network provider claims and actual signal reception highlights the complexity of 5G availability.

Meters exist that can measure the intensity of 5G signals. Rural areas have reported 5G signals propagating up to 6.6 miles in optimal weather conditions, though city environments often suffer from significant interference, necessitating closer placement of antennas.

A British company is investigating the potential to transform manhole covers into small cell antennas, which could revolutionize 5G deployment and infrastructure.