Everything you need to know about 5g
5G is the latest mobile technology offering the fastest mobile data speeds possible. It’s around 10 times faster than 4G, giving you’re the same ultra-fast speeds to experience at home, on the go.
What is 5G?
5G is the latest mobile technology offering the fastest mobile data speeds possible. It’s around 10 times faster than 4G, giving you’re the same ultra-fast speeds to experience at home, on the go.
With 5G, you’ll have a more reliable data connection in busy places, and experience near-instant connection when you open apps, load up websites, play games, or connect to your smart home devices.
Find out if you have 5G in your area.
How does 5G work?
5G works in the same way as 4G, but only faster! The mobile phone towers you’ve seen dotted about the place pick up signals from your phone and send data from your device to the internet and back again. 5G uses higher radio frequencies than 4G. This lets you do all the things you love online, but even faster.
What's the difference between 5G and 4G?
5G and 4G are actually very similar in how they work. The only difference is that 5G is a lot faster – 10 times faster. And it’s only getting faster.
That means faster download speeds and great coverage, even when lots of people are using the network at the same time.
How do I get 5G?
To get 5G, you’ll need a 5G-compatible phone and a 5G plan. You’ll also need 5G network coverage in your area.
You can find our whole range of 5G devices in our store. Just look out for the 5G roundel. Check out Virgin Mobile phones.
You can also find out if your device is 5G-ready by checking your phone’s instruction booklet, or by visiting the manufacturer’s site.
5G setup
Want to get 5G up and running on your phone? Here’s how.
Tip 1
First, check that your mobile is 5G-ready. If you bought your phone from us, check out our pay monthly phones. Any phone displaying a 5G roundel is 5G-ready.
You can also check the device’s instruction booklet, or visit the phone manufacturer’s support site.
Tip 2
Make sure 5G is available in your area using our 5G coverage checker.
Tip 3
Make sure 5G is turned On in your phone’s Settings. If you need help doing this, check out our device guides or visit your phone manufacture’s support site.
Tip 4
Make sure your device has the latest software installed. To learn how, check out our device guides or visit your phone manufacturer’s support site.
Tip 5
Restart your device to refresh your network connection.
Tip 6
Having trouble connecting to our network? Check Mobile data is turned on in your phone’s Settings, and that Airplane Mode is turned Off.
Additional 5G FAQs
Do you have questions about 5G? We’ve put together a few useful FAQs to help you get to know the latest mobile technology.
Yes, it’s just as safe as 4G and complies with the same safety regulations.
Like 4G, 5G uses signals carried by radio waves. We’re surrounded by radio waves all the time – when we watch the telly, listen to the radio and use GPS to get around.
A small difference is that 5G uses slightly higher frequency waves than earlier mobile networks like 4G and 3G. This helps get more devices connected to the internet and lets us do things faster online.
Because higher frequency waves travel shorter distances, 5G needs more transmitters that run at lower power levels than 4G. This means there are actually fewer radio emissions from 5G than there are from 4G.
All mobile operators providing 5G services must comply with the UK government’s safety guidelines.
To get 5G, you’ll need a 5G mobile plan with us, as well as a 5G-compatible device and 5G network coverage.
If you have a new 5G device on any Pay Monthly plan or a SIM Only plan with us, you can enjoy 5G as standard.
If you have a 4G device on an existing plan with us, you’ll just need to finish paying it off before you can upgrade to a new 5G-ready phone. Once you’ve upgraded your phone, you can start enjoying 5G right away.
Our 5G covers 100 towns and cities across the UK, with many more to come. Use our coverage checker to find out more.
Any device displaying a 5G roundel in our store is 5G-ready.
You can also find out if your device is supports 5G by checking your device’s instruction booklet or visiting the manufacturer’s support site.
Check out our mobile deals.
Any device displaying a 5G roundel in our store is 5G-ready.
You can also find out if your device is supports 5G by checking your device’s instruction booklet or visiting the manufacturer’s support site.
Check out our mobile deals.
If you’ve upgraded or changed your subscription recently, it might be that your current SIM isn’t compatible with your new service. If this is the case, we’ll have sent you a new SIM. Simply follow the activation instructions provided to get it up and running.
If you’ve received a new SIM and haven’t recently upgraded or changed your subscription, please call us on 789 or check out our advice on swapping your SIM.
To get 5G, you’ll need a 5G plan with us, as well as a 5G-compatible device and 5G network coverage.
Yes our 5G is available in 100 towns and cities across the UK, with many more to come. Use our coverage checker to find out more.
5G is designed to zoom through video calls, chomp through file downloads and deliver extreme streaming – even in the busiest areas.
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