What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It promises near-fibre speeds wirelessly - but how does it actually work, and is it ready to replace your home fibre line?
5G in plain English
5G is the next major leap after 4G/LTE mobile networks. It uses higher-frequency radio waves and denser cell deployments to deliver dramatically more bandwidth - typical speeds of 200-1000 Mbps and latencies under 20 ms.
It comes in two flavours: 5G mobile (in your phone) and 5G fixed-wireless (a 5G router that replaces home fibre).
How 5G actually works
- Higher frequencies: 5G uses sub-6 GHz and millimeter-wave bands for much wider channels than 4G.
- Massive MIMO: Each cell tower has dozens of antennas serving many devices simultaneously.
- Beamforming: Signal is steered directly to your device instead of broadcast in all directions.
- Edge computing: Processing happens closer to you, dropping latency.
5G vs 4G vs fibre
- 4G LTE: 20-100 Mbps, 30-50 ms latency.
- 5G: 200-1000 Mbps, 15-30 ms latency.
- Fibre: 25-1000 Mbps, 5-15 ms latency, much more consistent.
Fibre still wins on consistency and price per Mbps. 5G shines as a no-install alternative where fibre isn't available - see our full 5G in South Africa guide.
Frequently asked questions
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