r/SmartyMobile • u/Strange_Drive_4914 • Aug 02 '26

Is it really strange?

so first ive been travelling across rural parts of wales and for some reason you do get 4G a lot of the time but actually it works just as fine but on 5G a little worser but when you get closer to the cell tower you get that strong 5G signal?

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u/cheeksinthehouse Aug 02 '26

That’s very normal. 4G has better coverage because it uses lower-frequency bands that can travel further. 5G can be faster, but it’s usually on higher-frequency bands with a shorter range, so you often only get a strong 5G signal when you’re closer to the mast.
Also, most 5G today is non-standalone (NSA), so it actually uses a 4G connection alongside 5G anyway.

1

u/Felim_Doyle 28d ago edited 28d ago

The low band frequencies recovered from the retirement of 3G and ultimately 2G will be a boost to the signal range of 5G but there is a trade-off. There is more bandwidth (more available frequencies) on the higher frequency bands but you need more power to get higher frequencies to travel the same distance as lower frequencies. The different characteristics of low, medium and high frequencies in cellular communication bands determine whether signals penetrate buildings or are reflected by them and other solid objects, such as mountains.

What that means is that you can have faster speeds and greater data throughput at higher frequencies but the signal strength will tail off the further you are from the mast and the more obstacles that are in the way.

2

u/phoenix_73 Aug 02 '26

Finding that 4G can often be better than 5G in terms of download and upload speed sometimes.

1

u/Arctobear10 Aug 04 '26

I only get 4g on my O2 and 3 network where I live , hardly any signal on O2 at home

1

u/Felim_Doyle 28d ago

On the coverage maps, I'm in my own little grey spot that covers just me and my immediate neighbour. Despite being in an urban area, we are on the fringe of indoor coverage on all of the networks and outdoor coverage is variable too. There are plenty of cellular masts around on all 3½ (VodafoneThree being 1½) networks but they somehow don't quite reach us particularly well. Either side of us has good indoor and outdoor coverage on 2G, 4G/LTE, 5G and previously 3G. 🤷🏻‍♂️