{"id":15312,"date":"2022-09-19T13:39:50","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T03:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/?p=15312"},"modified":"2024-11-06T16:45:13","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T05:45:13","slug":"difference-4g-5g-phone-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/difference-4g-5g-phone-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between 4G and 5G phone plans?"},"content":{"rendered":"

4G has been the network standard in Australia for years now. When it first came on the scene back in 2008 it represented a massive technological leap forward from its 3G predecessor. But with the growing rollout of the new 5G network<\/a> infrastructure, Australian mobile devices are en route to a new status quo of cellular technology. With more and more phone plans now offering 5G network capabilities, you might be wondering – \u2018What’s the difference between 5G vs 4G mobile plans<\/a>?\u2019 In this blog, we\u2019re going to answer all that, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, what are 4G and 5G mobile networks?<\/span><\/h2>\n

5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. Just like 4G (fourth generation) did to 3G, this new jump in innovation is projected to provide faster download speeds, lower latency, greater network capacity and better connectivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

4G vs 5G mobile plans<\/span><\/h2>\n

Functionality<\/span><\/h3>\n

Understandably, much of the difference between 4G and 5G mobile plans will come from what each network generation is able to deliver in terms of functionality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Faster speeds<\/span><\/h4>\n

Even with the new network still coming into its own across the country, 5G speeds<\/a> are already sitting around the 100-1000Mbps range, a big step up from the 4G sub-100 Mbps average. This means that 5G mobile device and phone plan users will enjoy download speeds that are several times faster than the current standard.<\/span><\/p>\n

At MATE, the network capability of our 5G mobile plan has access to download speeds of 10Mbps up to a speed cap of 250Mbps on 5G across 75% of the population.<\/p>\n

Network capacity<\/span><\/h4>\n

Unlike 4G which can be overwhelmed by a sharp spike in network traffic, 5G is well on its way to solving this issue with enhanced network capacity that could accommodate up to 100x more traffic, leading to a seamless online experience. This means that 5G plans<\/a> and connected devices can say goodbye to slow loading times in crowded spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5G\"<\/p>\n

Cost<\/span><\/h3>\n

While 5G mobile plans may have come with a noticeably higher price tag when the network was first being rolled out across major cities, today there\u2019s little, if any, difference in cost between 4G and 5G mobile packages.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, when it comes to yours truly, MATE is currently offering <\/span>4 cracking 5G mobile plans<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Compatible mobile device<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to note that in order to access the enhanced functionality of 5G phone plans, you will need a 5G compatible handset. The good news is that while this may call for a device upgrade, 5G mobile phones have only gotten cheaper over the years, so you won\u2019t be hard-pressed to find an affordable option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n

The expansion of 5G has certainly made some good headway over the past few years. Our MATE mobile service, for example, provides 5G Coverage reaching at least 75% of the Australian population, using parts of Telstra\u2019s 5G mobile network. But even with such a massive reach, 5G is yet to match the coverage currently offered by 4G.<\/span><\/p>\n

So before you go and sign up to a 5G mobile plan, it\u2019s important to know whether your area has 5G network coverage. To check the 5G status of your area you can use the <\/span>MATE network coverage map.<\/span><\/a>\n

Get 5G with MATE!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experience 5G for yourself with MATE\u2019s new <\/span>5G mobile plans<\/span><\/i><\/a>, powered by 5G!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"5G<\/p>\n

Already have 5G coverage in your area and a 5G compatible device ready to go? Then make the switch to a MATE 5G plan!<\/p>\n

Our 5G plans are below:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Great Mates 32GB 5G<\/p>\n