Nuked We’ve got some bad news: 5G is going to get better. For most regions, it’s just a little faster than the 4G speeds we’re used to using. But if you live in the US, 5G probably is n’t going to be the mind-bogglingly fast experience that you’ve been promised.
If you got a phone recently, there’s a good chance it supports 5G. Pretty much every new phone in 2021 will offer some form of 5G.
The major US carriers’ unlimited plans already include access to 5G. But, carriers offer a mix of 5G bands that vary in speed and coverage.
Your guide to the current state of 5G and data plans in the US. Which include 5G, which do n’t, what variety of 5G they include.
A SIM card that was activated in a 4G device will still work with a 5G phone. You may still need to upgrade to a new SIM card if you moved it over from an older device.
Prices listed in this article are for one line of service per month before taxes and fees. Additional lines bring down the monthly cost per line, but your bill increases, of course.
”we do n’t think there’s a reason to change your plan just yet yet yet,”says TL.
Verizon offers two varieties of 5G, the faster of which it calls’mmwave’. It’s available only in certain parts of certain cities. You’ll see a 5G UW logo on your phone screen if your phone is using that network.
‘nationwide’ is the company’s 5G, a low-band variety that’s slower than mmwave. It’s sometimes a bit slower than 4G, but offers much broader coverage.
Check out Verizon’s coverage map to see what’s available in your area. If you live in a city with UW 5G, be sure to zoom in to see the exact areas and streets with coverage.
Verizon’s shared data and its $ 80-per-month basic unlimited plan include the lower-tier nationwide 5G only. For access to UW in addition to nationwide 5G, you’ll need at least the $ 90’play more’ unlimited plan.
Uw 5G is n’t available for prepaid customers, but Verizon says that’s changing in 2021. There’s a $ 5 monthly discount for auto pay.
Do n’t worry about switching up your at & T plan for 5G. Dr: do n’t switch up your plan.
Pcmag’s annual mobile network test did n’t encounter 5G plus in cities where at & T offers it. The carrier’s standard 5G is of the low-band variety similar to Verizon’s nationwide.
Both 5G and 5G Plus are included in all postpaid unlimited plans. The unlimited plus prepaid plan also includes it at $ 75 per month ($ 60 with auto pay).
At & T may have had a rocky start with 5G, but the technology will improve. For now, the company is n’t charging a premium for its fastest 5G variant.
All of T-Mobile’s postpaid plans include 5G. T-Mobile’s plans include more reliable access to 5G by upgrading.
T-Mobile is working on converting Sprint’s midband frequencies to 5G. Verizon and at & T’s efforts have been concentrated around high and low-band offerings. This might be a sweet spot: not as fast as the mmwave stuff, but genuinely faster than 4G.
T-Mobile does not offer 5G on its prepaid plans. All of the company’s postpaid plans include 5G.
T-Mobile promises to bring meaningfully fast 5G to more of its customers in 2021. But it will be interesting to see if T-Mobile can make good on ambitious promises.
All plans (pre- and postpaid) include access to 5G. All plans are pre- and post-paid.
Us cellular 5G is of the low-band variety, so it’s still a little faster than 4G. If you’re in a rural area, US cellular is more likely to offer 5G to you now. Major carriers’ coverage is still mostly concentrated around bigger cities.
If you’re happy with your MVNO plan, do n’t switch things up for 5G. Do n’t change things up just for 5G.
Cricket’s unlimited plan offers 5G access using at & T’s 5G network. All mint mobile plans include access to 5G on T-Mobile’s network.
