5G Explained
What 5G actually is, what it delivers in practice in the UK today, and what to know before buying a 5G dongle.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It is defined by the 3GPP standards body and operates across a range of radio frequency bands. UK networks launched 5G commercially in 2019, with EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all offering 5G services.
5G offers faster data speeds, lower latency, and significantly higher network capacity than 4G. It is designed to support not just smartphones and dongles but a broad ecosystem of connected devices – from autonomous vehicles to industrial sensors.
5G speeds in practice
On Sub-6GHz 5G (the most common type in UK cities and towns), typical download speeds in 2026 are 100-400 Mbps. Latency drops to around 10-20ms. Upload speeds reach 30-100 Mbps.
mmWave 5G (very high frequency, very short range) offers speeds exceeding 1 Gbps but is deployed only in very small numbers of UK locations. Do not buy a dongle based on mmWave 5G claims – the coverage barely exists in the UK.
5G NSA vs SA
Most UK 5G is currently Non-Standalone (NSA) – meaning the 5G radio is bolted onto the existing 4G core network. This limits some of 5G’s potential features. Standalone (SA) 5G uses an end-to-end 5G network, enabling network slicing, ultra-low latency, and the full feature set. UK operators are progressively rolling out SA 5G. For dongle users, the practical difference in 2026 is limited – both NSA and SA 5G deliver fast speeds.
5G UK coverage in 2026
5G coverage varies significantly by operator and location. EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all provide coverage maps on their websites. 5G is well established in city centres and major towns. Suburban coverage is patchy. Rural 5G coverage is minimal. Always check coverage for your specific locations before buying a 5G dongle.
Is a 5G dongle worth it?
If you have 5G coverage at the locations where you primarily use mobile broadband, yes. The speed increase over 4G is real and meaningful. If you travel frequently to rural areas or smaller towns, a 5G dongle that falls back to 4G gives you the best of both. See our 4G vs 5G comparison for more detail.