Global 5G Network Speeds Fall Short: Reasons and Impact

Despite the promise of faster speeds and better performance, 5G networks around the world have experienced a decline in upload and download speeds compared to a year ago, according to network diagnostic company Ookla. Even the most advanced 5G networks can only reach speeds of 1 Gbps, far below the International Telecommunication Union(ITU)'s ideal download speed of 20 Gbps. Various factors have contributed to this situation, including network congestion, non-standalone 5G deployment, regulatory challenges, and the limited use of millimeter wave technology.

As more users purchase new phones and devices, the number of people using 5G networks has increased, leading to network congestion. This problem is common to each generation of mobile communication technology. Ookla's industry analyst Mark Giles said, "You look back at the 4G era, and it was the same. So, when 4G was first deployed, there was a lot of capacity available for those early users. Then as more users came on board, the capacity was used up, and there was a need to increase base station density."

Most carriers have chosen to deploy non-standalone 5G networks, which build 5G networks on top of existing 4G core infrastructure. While this approach is more cost-effective and less challenging, it limits the development of 5G networks, as carriers can only build networks in areas with existing base stations and facilities.

Regulatory and licensing issues also hinder carriers, especially in densely populated urban areas where finding suitable locations for new base stations can be challenging. In suburban or rural areas, the short propagation distance of higher frequency bands, such as millimeter wave (24 GHz to 40 GHz), which support lower latency and higher data rates, are less practical. As more locations adopt 5G networks, overall performance may decline.

Millimeter wave technology has not seen widespread adoption, with only a few countries, including the United States, utilizing it. Even in the US, companies like Verizon have shifted their focus to other newly available frequency bands, such as the C-band (4 GHz to 8 GHz). Giles said, "As of 2022, there are 140 carriers in 24 countries with millimeter wave licenses. But only 28 carriers in 16 countries have actually deployed millimeter wave. So, it's a very small group. Only a small portion of carriers are truly pursuing millimeter wave."

The International Telecommunication Union's initial 5G download speed of 20 Gbps remains an ideal, with millimeter wave technology only being utilized in areas with a high concentration of users, such as stadiums and airports. Without investing in millimeter wave as a crucial component of 5G networks, whether due to high costs or technical limitations, 5G networks will struggle to progress beyond their growing pains.

However, not all countries' 5G networks are underperforming. Ookla's speed test data reveals that four countries are defying the trend: Canada, Italy, Qatar, and the United States. For the US, Giles believes that the availability of new frequency bands has helped carriers maintain their lead in new network development. In Qatar, massive investments for the 2022 FIFA World Cup include building a robust 5G network.

Whether the early setbacks of 5G networks will impact the development of 6G technology remains uncertain, but there are potential implications. For instance, considering the underwhelming performance of millimeter wave technology, the industry may reduce investment in terahertz wave research and instead focus on integrating cellular and Wi-Fi technologies in areas requiring dense coverage. As the 5G network continues to evolve and face challenges, lessons learned from its deployment may shape the direction and priorities of future 6G development.

In conclusion, the global slowdown in 5G network speeds can be attributed to a variety of factors, including network congestion, non-standalone deployment, regulatory challenges, and the limited use of millimeter wave technology. Despite the current setbacks, certain countries have managed to defy the trend and maintain their 5G network performance. How these challenges will influence the future of 6G technology remains to be seen, but the industry may shift its focus to explore alternative approaches and technologies to enhance network coverage and performance.

FAQ

What affects 5G speed?

• Network Congestion: With more devices connecting to the network, available bandwidth can decrease, potentially slowing speeds. This is particularly true in densely populated areas or during peak usage times.

• Non-Standalone Deployment: Currently, many 5G networks are deployed on top of existing 4G LTE infrastructure. This non-standalone deployment can limit the speed and performance of 5G until standalone 5G networks, which do not rely on 4G infrastructure, become more widespread.

• Distance from Base Station: The further a device is from a 5G base station (also known as a cell tower), the slower the speed can be. This is because signal strength decreases with distance.

• Physical Obstructions: Buildings, trees, and other physical objects can interfere with 5G signals, especially those operating on higher frequencies (like mmWave). This can result in slower speeds or lost connections.

• Spectrum Availability: Different frequency bands have different characteristics. Mid-band and low-band 5G offer a balance of speed and coverage, but may not deliver the extremely high speeds promised by 5G. High-band 5G (mmWave), which offers very high speeds, only covers a small area and can be easily blocked by physical obstacles.

• Device Capabilities: Not all devices are capable of connecting to the full range of 5G frequencies. If a device can only connect to lower frequency bands, it may not experience the highest speeds that 5G can offer.

• Regulatory Challenges: Regulatory and licensing issues can also slow the speed and deployment of 5G, as telecom operators must obtain the necessary permissions and licenses to operate in certain frequency bands.

Why are 5G speeds slow?

5G speeds can be slower than expected due to network congestion, non-standalone deployment on existing 4G infrastructure, regulatory challenges, limited use of millimeter wave technology, and incomplete 5G coverage. These issues are part of the growing pains of any new technology, and speeds should increase as the technology matures.

Why is 5g slower than 4g?

5G may appear slower than 4G due to limited coverage, the use of existing 4G infrastructure (non-standalone networks), network congestion, and the varied speeds of different 5G spectrum bands. As 5G technology and infrastructure improve, it's expected to consistently outperform 4G.

Why is 5G range so short?

The range of 5G is shorter because it uses higher frequency bands than previous generations, specifically in the millimeter-wave spectrum (between 24 GHz and 100 GHz). These higher frequencies can transmit data faster and have more bandwidth, but they have a shorter range and are more easily blocked by buildings, trees, and even rain. To mitigate this, a greater number of smaller, lower-power base stations are needed to maintain network coverage. This makes the deployment of high-frequency 5G networks more complex and expensive, especially in rural or less populated areas.