The Truth Behind the 5G Icon: Are You Really Connected or Just Seeing a Mirage?
So here’s a mind-boggler for you: just because your phone flashes that shiny 5G icon, does it really mean you’re surfing the web at lightning speed? Turns out, not so much. I mean, who hasn’t tried streaming in glorious 720p in 2025 because the signal’s as flaky as my excuses for missing a pass in online soccer? Living in an area where internet quality rivals a dial-up nightmare, I can vouch for the frustration of buffering hell. Thanks to a massive 11,000-test deep dive by PolicyTracker across London, Birmingham, and even some nooks of North Lincolnshire, we learned that your “5G” might just be cruising along on humble 4G roads. Yep, your phone’s playing a bit of a shell game, switching between signals like a sneaky magician. The real kicker? Mobile UK admits it’s all about connecting you to the best available signal, not necessarily pure 5G – which kind of feels like ordering a triple-shot espresso and getting a decaf surprise. So, is it worth splurging on those pricier 5G plans? The experts aren’t sold. Ready to unpack this digital mystery and see if your mobile network’s pulling the wool over your eyes? LEARN MORE
New research has suggested that the 5G signal on your phone doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting 5G speeds.
I can’t be the only one who has such an inconsistent signal that I have to stream content in 720p… in 2025.
Bad network is a nightmare, and I happen to live in an area with such s**t internet that I use it as an excuse when I don’t pass the ball during a two-on-one in pro clubs.
And so, when I catch 5G at the right time, the internet speed is something I am definitely not used to.
As reported by the BBC, PolicyTracker carried out 11,000 tests on four smartphones using four network providers in central London, Birmingham, and a village in North Lincolnshire.
According to PolicyTracker, it turns out that when the 5G logo appears on your phone, the signal can still come from 4G infrastructure.
Bad network is the worst (Getty Stock Images)
The investigation revealed that much of the data traffic still relies on older 4G infrastructure which can lead to slower download speeds and increased buffering in areas with ‘high-speed 5G performance’.
At the heart of the problem is the way mobile operators currently define what qualifies as 5G, they said.
Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators, confirmed this in a statement to the BBC.
They said that when 5G is enabled, it ‘dynamically and seamlessly steer customers to the best connection, whether 4G or 5G, based on real-time factors like signal strength’.
5G might not actually be 5G (Getty Stock Images)
Martin Sims, from PolicyTracker, noted the extra money you might be paying for 5G is probably not worth it.
“Standalone 5G isn’t worth it as it’s not very good value for money because the contracts are expensive,” he said.
Sims insisted that the infrastructure still isn’t great in big cities and that ‘you’re more likely to get better service in busy areas like train stations’.
Consumer expert, Jasper Griegson from the complaints service Resolver, added to the outlet that customers should know what they’re getting themselves into.
You should check in with your network provider if you’re experiencing issues (Getty Stock Images)
“You think you’re getting one thing but you’re not and accuracy is key,” he said. “The consumer rights act has very strict rules about how accurate things have to be in other contexts, so why does that differ here?”
You can download a speed test app on your phone to check how fast your download and upload speeds are.
If the speeds are lower than promised, contact your network provider to see what’s going on.
Mobile UK told LADbible Group in a statement: “When you choose a plan with our members, you’re not just buying ‘5G’; you’re buying a connection to the mobile networks.
“The mobile service is designed to give customers the most reliable connection by automatically connecting their device to the best technology available at any moment.
“The core of the mobile plans is seamless connectivity, not connection to a specific technology.
“Customers phones and the mobile networks simply work together to keep you connected using the strongest signal possible.”
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