Many operators are now offering 5G deals for your mobile phone. And without the network that goes with it..
It has been several years since 5G entered our daily lives. While many French people still have a 4G plan, some users are giving in to the sirens of the higher generation and opting for a new plan with the 5G option. There are 14 million active SIM cards on 5G networks, or 17% of subscribers. The latter, which is supposed to be faster or more efficient than the previous generation, is being gradually deployed in France, notably via several network antennas.
Orange claims on its website that it already covers nearly 70% of the territory with its 5G network, particularly in major cities. However, many 5G users see no real difference from their old 4G network, other than a small new logo displayed on their phones. What if they are right and this new generation is not that interesting?
Contrary to popular belief, 5G technology is not entirely new and independent. Of the nearly 50,000 relay antennas in France, only a handful are entirely dedicated to 5G networks. There is currently only one operator in France offering a real 5G service. This is a free operator that recently announced the launch of a “real” 5G SA for its subscribers. Why “SA”? Quite simply, for “5G Stand Alone”, which works thanks to antennas dedicated exclusively to 5G. To make sure you benefit from a real 5G network, you will need to make sure your package is SA compatible (and also be close to one of these antennas designed specifically for the technology).
Other operators such as Orange, SFR or Bouygues Telecom rely on non-standalone 5G networks. The latter still relies on 4G infrastructure while offering faster connection speeds, but it is not a true 5G. Non-SA (or NSA) 5G networks only allow a gradual increase in power compared to 4G networks.
Concretely, 5G NSA has higher latency and lower throughput than “true 5G.” However, it is still much easier to deploy and cheaper to install since it relies on existing antennas.
Also keep in mind that 5G (SA or NSA) consumes more battery than 4G. According to a recent study by the Visermark Institute, the latest generation of connectivity consumes an average of 10% more battery than 4G. If you’re experiencing frequent issues with your phone’s battery life, you might also consider upgrading to 5G with some carriers.
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