12-05-2023 10:40 AM
Hey everyone,
I'm currently subscribed to the $102 60GB/90-day plan, but I've stumbled upon an enticing offer for a 40GB/month 5G data plan that I've set to "Change on Renewal". The issue is that I'm currently using a 4G phone.
I'm curious about what would happen if I make the switch. Would my network connectivity be affected (can a 4G phone even be on a 5G plan)? How will it impact my phone's internet speeds? Moreover, will there be noticeably faster battery drain on my 4G phone?
I'm reaching out to the community to get some insights before the new plan activates on my Renewal Date. Has anyone experimented with a 5G plan on a 4G phone? What were your experiences? Any issues I should be aware of before making the switch? Are there benefits to making this switch (beyond the extra 20GB of data a month)?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Solved! Go to Solution.
05-13-2024 02:08 PM
There is a lot of confusion between 5G and 4G.
On the plan level it truly is the SPEED LIMITS SET (how its marketted)
On the technology level there is a lot but this is not to do with speed or signal. 5G is more to with the internet of things IOT and basically NOT much to do with everything 5G is marketted for.
When talking about 5G signal we are talking about HIGHER wavelegnths haveing poor penetration and LOWER wavelegnths better penetrating. All true
LTE is also on various Bandwidths but often on low wavelength
The 5G rollout in Canada is "2.5GHz Rogers" and "3.5GHz Telus/Bell" where in other countries frequencies can be way higher up tsuch as Verizon USA. The 5G technology is generally overlayed on lower frequecny LTE Radios layer and the new higher introduced freqencies.
What they don't tell you is newer phones also support LTE over these 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz bands. Added sometimes as easy as the provider updating hardware.
Telus, Bell and Rogers Buy antennas many freqencies of different shapes look at the towers for the service area geographics and freqencies. Then they buy radios that connect to the same antennas LTE and 5G. Thus providers can leave their 4G / LTE equipment in place and overlay a 5g onto the same antenna to expand service.
So note LTE BAND 42 is 3.5GHZ is using the same freqency as 5G in canada.
So someone reading all the misinformation buys a 4G plan to avoid 5G exposure or higher frequency and turns 5g off in their phone. But then they get LTE band 42 the higher fequency 3.5g when a true scientist must buy a phone that has a radio that doesn't support the higher bands.
Just search the 5g frequencies and LTE frequencies on wikipedia for a decent list.
Also note other technologies in 5G such as MIMI overlap 3G, 4G LTE and further 5G overlaps LTE is the ability to directionally sending your signal VS blasting your signal in all directions.
12-08-2023 08:39 AM
@Levelbear1 !to get the 1000mbs that has to be a tier 1 provider like Telus bell or rogers on a 5G+ plan that advertises up to 2GBps speed . Because even reg 5G from Telus is still only up to 250mbs
12-08-2023 08:27 AM
I love this thread, Both my 5G phone and my 4G/LTE phone work on both subs.
I can only attain 300mbps MAXIMUM on 5g plan and 100mbps on 4g plan. For the coverage 5G you will more likely get the MAX speed but to me the plan 5G vs 4G comtains a speed limit. On other providers you can get over 1000mbps on 5G but only to their servers and not to others .
12-05-2023 11:59 AM
@WindyOrbits wrote:Hi @BKNS27 and @hTideGnow
Thanks for explaining! I only have a 4G capable phone haha so I would probably not get true 5G signal anyhow...
HI @WindyOrbits with a 4G phone, you cannot connect to 5G network. However, if you subscribe to 5G plan, you will get much better speed than you would have got on a 4G plan. Instead of top speed of 100Mbps , you can get 150+ Mpbps
12-05-2023 11:40 AM
Hi @BKNS27 and @hTideGnow
Thanks for explaining! I only have a 4G capable phone haha so I would probably not get true 5G signal anyhow...
12-05-2023 11:37 AM - edited 12-05-2023 11:39 AM
Basically, if you are indoors. The 5G signal will drop and it will drop to 4G/LTE depending on the reception of your phone.
5G wavelength are shorter then 3G or 4G/LTE. Longer wavelengths had the ability to go through walls.
Since you have a 4G phone it doesn’t matter. It won’t reach 5G speeds.
12-05-2023 11:32 AM
HI @WindyOrbits
it is true that 5G singals won't go through walls as good, but all it means is that it will travel shorter distance
Most phone will setup with network mode auto and most the time will be using 4G signal, as it is better on battery. But the phone will be smart enough to switch to 5G when heavy data is needed and when 5G signal is good
So, no worries,many have 5G plans already and enjoying the 5G speed
12-05-2023 11:29 AM
@WindyOrbits Yes you will no worries 5G works best outside but will still work in your house I’m home now and look I still get 5G network on my 5G phone and plan
12-05-2023 11:26 AM
Hi @BKNS27 Thanks for your reply! I'm confused... What do you mean by 5G signals can’t go through walls? Can 4G signal go through walls? 😅 once I switch over to 5G, will I still have data connectivity if I am inside a building?
12-05-2023 11:16 AM - edited 12-05-2023 11:17 AM
The speed depends on the signal o your phone. If it is showing full signal than it should be up in the 100mps.
Having a 4G plan on 5G phone will have little or no affects on the speed. Your phone will need 5G hardware to get the 5G speeds.
Also, 5G signals can’t go through walls.
12-05-2023 10:49 AM
@WindyOrbits It should be faster then 100mbs on 5G plan as 4G plan is up to 100mbs and 5G plan is up to 250mbs
12-05-2023 10:48 AM - edited 12-05-2023 10:50 AM
Hi @Handy1 thanks for your response! Per your recommendation, I just did a speed test and it says [88.2 Mbps download]; [10.2 Mbps upload]. Based on your reply, does that mean the download speed will improve to 100Mbps on a 5G plan?
Do you know if there will be noticeably faster battery drain once I switch over? That's one of my worries.
Also, would the added benefit of unlimited data throttled to 512kbps be after 20GB is used up or 40GB? It is a 40GB/month 5G plan
Thanks!
12-05-2023 10:42 AM - edited 12-05-2023 10:44 AM
@WindyOrbits You no worries , you will get faster speeds of 100mbs of a 4G plan being on 5Gplan with phone set to 4G/LTE you can do a speed test to confirm , also the added benefit is you will have unlimited data throttled to 512kbps after the 20GB plan data bucket is used up win/win
Speed test