Within the U.S., it's reasonable to assume that by the end of 2022 there will not be a single major carrier supporting 2G. The same fate awaits 3G. 4G LTE operates under a different scenario, and we can confidently say that 4G will be around for at least another decade.
4G phones still work on 4G LTE networks for now, but eventually they will become obsolete. Consider how long you plan to keep your phone; if you plan to keep your phone for longer than a year or so, it might be a good idea to get a phone that is 5G compatible.
Multiple studies suggest that 4G is going to be a major part of India till 2027 at least. Only after 2027 will we see 4G slowly phasing out.
While 5G will succeed 4G, it will not replace it. 4G and 5G networks will exist simultaneously, and 3G networks will keep kicking around for some time. Telstra is currently the only telco to have provided an end date for 3G, and plans to keep the network active until June 2024.
The growth of 5G networks doesn't mean 4G is going away. Mobile carriers will use existing 4G LTE networks to provide their customers' cell service well into the next decade. 5G networks will work with 4G — not outright replace it. The upshot is that 5G-capable cell phones will still use 4G technology.
Old 2G/3G infrastructure makes way for new networks, and older cellular devices must be retired. The good news is that 4G LTE will be available for at least a decade to come, and will co-exist with 5G networks.
With 5G, you can expect higher download speeds when using mobile data, lower latency (the time it takes for a device to respond to information or an action), increased reliability and more network capacity. Basically, 5G is faster and more stable than 4G, and it's capable of connecting a lot more devices.
If you don't have a 5G phone, that's fine. You can still access super-fast and extensive 4G coverage on the Telstra network until you're ready for a new 5G device. The 3G network will be decommissioned in 2024.
The two networks will work together, in the same way the 3G and 4G networks co-exist. The Optus 5G mobile network is currently available within selected Australian suburbs. Outside of 5G coverage areas, 5G capable devices will switch to the Optus 4G or 3G network.
The key difference between 4G and 5G is that 5G is faster. Much faster. You should easily be able to get 4G speeds of 50Mbps in metro Australia, while 5G can go over 500Mbps.
If you see 4G, LTE, or 4G LTE, your phone is safe and will continue to work after the 3G networks are shut down.
Unfortunately, the ability to access the 4G network depends on your phone's capability. So, if you have a 3G phone, you won't have access to the 4G network.
Are other cellular devices affected? Yes. Any device with a 3G cellular connection or a Sprint 4G LTE connection will be affected by the 2022 3G Shutdown. For example, many automotive-connected devices may be affected, including older OnStar systems and certain remote start systems.
Yes. Many older phones, early iPads, older Kindles, wearables, alarm systems and classic Chromebooks — any device configured to work only on 2G/3G — simply won't be able to connect to cellular data networks anymore.
2G, understood as GSM and CDMA, has been superseded by newer technologies such as 3G (UMTS / CDMA2000), 4G (LTE / WiMAX) and 5G (5G NR); however, 2G networks were still available as of 2023 in most parts of Europe, Africa, Central America and South America, and many modern LTE-enabled devices have the ability to fall ...
If at this point, your phone is still not showing or connecting to a 4G network, you need to contact your network service provider. There may be a network outage in your area, something is wrong with your line, or perhaps your carrier is having a network upgrade.
Google Pixel/stock Android phones
Open Settings> Network & Internet> SIMs> Preferred network type>Choose 5G.
Seeing as the majority of 5G plans are the same as 4G plans, and most new smartphones are 5G-ready, it's a no-brainer to say that yes, 5G is worth it. In most cases, if you're getting a new handset or deal, you'll probably get 5G included at no extra cost, and then you'll get connected to superfast download speeds.
5G offers faster maximum speeds than the NBN, but coverage is currently extremely limited in comparison. 5G could be a NBN alternative for some users, but is unlikely to replace other broadband plans and options.
You do not NEED a smartphone with 5G connectivity because there is almost certainly no location inside the United States that'll have 5G without 4G.
Investing in a new 5G phone is generally the best move if you can afford it since it ensures that your device will feel fast and relevant for years to come. But if your budget is limited, or the 5G phones available to you right now don't fit your needs, you won't be missing out on too much by opting for 4G instead.
No, you do not necessarily need a new SIM card for 5G. As long as your current phone model supports 5G connectivity and you're already with a provider that offers a 5G network (and plan to stick with them), you can use your existing SIM. All you have to do is switch to a 5G-enabled plan and you're good to go.
Disadvantages of 5G Technology
Many of the old devices would not be competent to 5G, hence, all of them need to be replaced with new one — expensive deal. Developing infrastructure needs high cost. Security and privacy issue yet to be solved.
With its lower latency, greater network capacity and faster download speeds, 5G represents a massive improvement over the 4G network standard. But while major Aussie telcos have already started rolling out 5G mobile networks across the country, this new tech is still getting out of the starting blocks.
Yes, 5G has the potential to use more battery than 4G. This is especially true for first-generation 5G devices, which used inefficient modems.