So hello everyone, today is a big day because in our apartment, we have access to the fastest Wi-Fi you’ve ever seen. I will tell you the details soon, but this is going to be 5G Wi-Fi.
Understanding 5G
5G is a bit of a controversial topic. I can tell you why—some people do not even get 4G speed on 5G.
Comparing 3G, 4G, and 5G
Let’s compare 3G, 4G, and 5G. Post-3G, the max speed was 7.2 megabits per second. Then came HSPA+, which was faster. Next, 4G offered 100 megabits per second, and finally, 5G is even faster.
How Waves Work
If you look at 3G, 4G, and 5G waves, you’ll notice 5G can carry more data and has more frequency. However, more frequency leads to shorter wavelengths, making it harder for signals to penetrate walls.
Challenges with 5G
In some scenarios, 5G speeds can be slower than 4G in the suburbs. The big challenge is millimeter waves and their inability to go through barriers easily.
Solution to Connectivity Issues
Today, I have a solution to 5G connectivity issues in the US. This video is made in partnership with Mint Mobile.
Why Choose Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile offers affordable plans: $15 per month for 4GB or $30 per month for unlimited 5G data. Ryan Reynolds, the owner, provides excellent coverage powered by T-Mobile.
Testing Wi-Fi Speed
Let’s test the Wi-Fi connection. My Wi-Fi is in the closet. Using fast.com, the speed reached up to 670 megabits per second, but not the promised 1Gbps.
Why Wired is Faster
Wired connections are always faster due to less latency, stability, and security compared to wireless connections.
Investigating Ethernet Speed
Using a wired connection, I still couldn’t achieve 5Gbps on my MacBook due to hardware limitations.
Upgrading with an Ethernet Adapter
To resolve this, I ordered a Sonic Tech 10Gbps Ethernet adapter. With this, I achieved speeds close to 5Gbps for both download and upload.
Latency and Gaming
Latency remains consistent at 2ms for wired and 5ms for wireless, making gaming performance similar for both 1Gbps and 5Gbps connections.
Conclusion
While upgrading to 5Gbps is exciting, it might not be worth it due to the high cost and minimal real-world benefits for most users.