About 5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband, technological advancements require better ways to connect devices and systems.
Moreso with the growth of IoT usage within our homes and business spaces. Additionally, most present-day technologies rely on cloud-based data to execute commands.
These systems would overwhelm the 4G networks hence the need for 5G networks.
Today, the 5G Nationwide and the 5G Ultra Wideband are the two most popular networks. But how do they differ?
Which is better? Today, we’re highlighting 5G Nationwide vs. 5G Ultra Wideband. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
- What is 5G?
- What is 5G Nationwide?
- What is 5G Ultra Wideband?
- 5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Features
- 5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Differences
- Which is Better?
- FAQs
- Final Remarks
What is 5G?
(A network connection concept)
5G is a fifth-generation cellular network that’s an update over the 4G and 4G LTE networks. It is faster and has a higher capacity than any other network you’ll find globally.
Additionally, it has lower latency, meaning you won’t waste time while your system lags.
The rise of 5G networks benefits applications that rely on real-time device communication. For instance, using 5G in IoT will improve your experience as it has a high capacity to connect more devices.
What is 5G Nationwide?
5G Nationwide is the standard 5G service you usually use nationwide. The network combines Verizon’s dependable 4G LTE and lower spectrum 5G.
Additionally, it operates 4G LTE and 5G in the same frequency range using Dynamic Spectrum Sharing technology.
The 5G Nationwide network uses low-band frequencies to travel and penetrate buildings. As a result, you may enjoy 5G in areas where the service is available.
Moreover, you can effortlessly switch to 4G LTE or 4G in places without the faster 5G Nationwide service. With speeds on par with 4G LTE, 5G Nationwide employs a low-band frequency to offer excellent coverage.
What is 5G Ultra Wideband?
(Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband logo)
5G Ultra Wideband is a 5G network that uses millimeter wave frequencies to deliver fast connectivity. Surprisingly, it has lower latency than previous wireless technologies, ensuring no delays in the transmission of signals.
Additionally, it offers faster data transfer rates than previous networks, including 4G LTE.
However, its shorter range requires more transmission infrastructure than the lower frequency bands. The potential of 5G Ultra Wideband is astounding.
The network supports dense populations of phone users without impeding local data transfers.
For example, if you’re in a stadium in a remote area, 5G Nationwide networks will suit you more.
However, in a business environment where you need a faster network, go with 5G Ultra Wideband.
It is promising for revolutionizing various industries, including healthcare. Other areas include smart homes, entertainment, and retail.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Features
(A 3D WiFi hotspot interface rendering)
5G Nationwide and the 5G ultrawide are 5G networks with similar features. In this section, we’re looking at how they differ.
High Speeds
Both 5G networks have faster speeds than the 4G LTE and 3G networks. However, the 5G Ultrawideband is significantly faster than the 5G Nationwide, with up to 10 Gbps download speeds.
Low Latency
Both 5G networks have lower latencies than other networks. However, the 5G Ultra Wideband has lower latency making it suitable for applications like online gaming.
Network Coverage
The fact that 5G Nationwide relies on low-frequency bands gives it better coverage than 5G Ultra Wideband. Generally, the 5G Nationwide suits areas with low infrastructure and high usage.
High Network Capacity
5G networks have higher network capacity per cell site than other networks. However, the 5G Ultra Wideband supports more devices than the 5G Nationwide.
Remember, both are excellent networks, and you might not notice any capacity issues.
Massive machine-type communication (mMTC)
5G Ultra Wideband can support massive machine-type communication. More specifically, it is the ability to connect many low-power devices, like IoT devices, to the network.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Differences
(Using WiFi in an office space)
5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband have key differences as follows:
Frequency Bands
A key difference between 5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband is their frequency bands. Surprisingly, the 5G Nationwide uses lower-frequency bands that can travel longer distances.
Bands like 600 MHz or 2.5 GHz can penetrate buildings more easily and provide broader coverage.
On the other hand, 5G Ultra Wideband uses higher-frequency bands like mmWave frequencies. Consequently, it offers faster speeds than most networks currently in existence.
However, its connectivity requires more infrastructure as its coverage is less than 5G Nationwide.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Latency
5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband offer lower latency than 4G LTE networks.
However, 5G Ultra Wideband provides even lower latency than 5G Nationwide. Low latency is important for real-time applications like online gaming or telemedicine.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Speed
To begin with, you need to understand that 5G Nationwide is an improvement of the 4G LTE networks. Therefore, it boosts a lower speed than the 5G Ultra Wideband.
Surprisingly, the 5G Ultra Wideband network can offer up to 10 Gbps speeds. This is lower than the 5G Nationwide’s theoretical maximum speeds of around 1 Gbps.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Network Coverage
Generally, 5G Nationwide relies on low-frequency bands. Therefore, it offers users a broader network coverage than the 5G Ultra Wideband.
Moreover, since the 5G Ultra Wideband provides less network coverage, you’ll need more infrastructure to push it further. If coverage is your top consideration, go with the 5G Nationwide.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Connectivity
The fact that you require less infrastructure to transmit 5G Nationwide over a wide area means it’s cheaper to deploy.
Surprisingly, 5G Ultra Wideband requires more infrastructure and cell sites to spread its signal.
Therefore, 5G Nationwide offers more network connectivity than the 5G Ultra Wideband, especially to wide areas.
Which is Better?
(Cheerful woman using a tablet)
The answer to the 5G Nationwide vs. 5G Ultra Wideband question varies depending on your location and service provider. If you are from an area with both networks, go with 5G Ultra Wideband.
It is faster and has lower latency than the 5G Nationwide.
However, if you come from an area with less 5G infrastructure, we recommend going with the 5G Nationwide. It has a broader coverage despite having a higher latency.
FAQs
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Can my phone connect to 5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband networks?
It depends on your phone’s capabilities and network provider. For example, a phone without a 5G capability will not connect to the network.
Most 4G LTE phones will not support 5G networks forcing you to buy a new one. Moreover, if you’re in a place that lacks the 5G infrastructure, your phone won’t connect to the network.
Luckily most new phones have 5G capability. Ensure that you check before buying one to avoid having connectivity issues.
Luckily, most new phones have 5G capabilities and will support the 5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband networks.
However, the performance of each network may fluctuate depending on location and connectivity.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Is 5G Nationwide available worldwide?
5G Nationwide’s availability depends on your location and the network provider. Some places in the world lack 5G infrastructure, thus lacking access to 5G. Furthermore, some network providers have yet to roll out 5G Nationwide plans globally.
Surprisingly, multiple network providers in other nations are launching the 5G infrastructure to varying degrees.
Consequently, some nations have better 5G Nationwide coverage than others.
Finally, the performance of a 5G Nationwide service varies depending on spectrum availability.
5G Nationwide Vs. 5G Ultra Wideband: Are all 5G networks the same?
No, 5G is a wireless technology that promises faster speeds and low latency connectivity. As a result, network suppliers will always come up with varying networks that suit their technology.
For instance, 5G Ultra Wideband and 5G Nationwide are two different 5G networks. The former uses high-frequency mmWave for connectivity, whereas the latter uses lower-frequency bands.
The result is that 5G Nationwide travels further but with lower speeds and performance.
Moreover, some network providers may prioritize coverage and reliability over speed.
On the other hand, others may focus on delivering the highest possible speeds.
Final Remarks
We have noted that many service providers are improving their infrastructure to support 5G network coverage.
Whether we like it or not, 5G is the future of network connectivity,y and we can only expect its use to grow globally.
Surprisingly, it offers better coverage and improved internet speeds than the 4G network.
For your information, a lack of infrastructure forces service providers to adopt the 5G Nationwide network over the 5G Ultra Wideband.
However, the 5G Ultra Wideband happens to be faster and better than the 5G Nationwide network.
Therefore, we recommend the 5G Nationwide network in a place with both networks.