3 ms·

So in short, 5G isn't particularly better than 4G all else being equal, but it is a prerequisite to expanding and improving service in ways that matter. Does t

by buu700 5y ago

So in short, 5G isn't particularly better than 4G all else being equal, but it is a prerequisite to expanding and improving service in ways that matter. Does that sound right?

zw123456 5y ago
Basically, 5G introduces some new technology that increases the so called spectral efficiency (bps/hz) that is how much tput you can deliver over the allocated spectrum. 5G introduces things like mm-wave tech using phased array antennas, better massive MIMO etc. But even with the tech, it's probably not enough to handle the demand they are hoping for, hence they spectrum buying spree they have been on lately. It goes back to the Shannon law talked about here, you either have to build more cells to make the signal better (better signal lets you pack more bps per hz, or you need more spectrum. Both are expensive, and most of them are doing both.
youngtaff 5y ago
My 5G connection is better (faster, more reliable) than my fixed line connection and only £20/month more for 10x download, 10x upload speed of the fixed line connnextion
- pbhjpbhj 5y ago
  Genuinely, how's the ping, could you play FPS games? Are you including the overhead of paying the line rental?
  - youngtaff 5y ago
    VSDL2 — Plusnet £35/month 39mbps down, 8mbps up, 30-300ms RTT (it can be very variable depending on time of day) 5G — Vodafone £50/month ex VAT, 350-390mbps down, 40mbps up, 30ms RTT (and stable) Cell tower occasionally goes offline but in general the Vodafone connection is way better than the fixed line one
    - petercooper 5y ago
      I don't know the details of why but ping times on residential connections in the UK seem to run somewhat higher than those I've experienced in the US. I have a cable connection of over 500Mbps and the ping time is ~20ms to both my nearest speed test location (about 50 miles away) and 8.8.8.8. 3ms is within my home network. 15ms is to my first hop at my ISP(!!).. then 2-3ms is the rest. My DSL connection is somewhat worse but with a similar profile.
      - youngtaff 5y ago
        I think it’s a factor of how the networks are constructed and how ISP backhaul works As far as I can remember anyone on BT (or rebranded BT) gets dumped into their backbone that then exits onto the internet in a couple of places but it’s a while since I looked at it Is your experience of US connections based on connections in large metro areas, rather than rural ones?
        petercooper 5y ago
        In recent years, yes. Last time I used the Internet in rural US was dialup(!) Looking at a Twitter search for people's 'Speedtest' results, though, provides anecdata. People in all sorts of countries seem to enjoy sub 10ms on even modest connections (e.g. https://twitter.com/grailph/status/1507258781574778883 https://twitter.com/grailph/status/1507258781574778883), whereas in the UK even a "good" connection gets a 10-15ms lag baked in.
    - celsoazevedo 5y ago
      Have you tried EE's 5G? Their unlimited business plan costs £30/month and at least in London they usually have better speeds and coverage. I'm currently testing Smarty (Three sub brand). £16/month, unlimited data, 30 days contract. Just outside my front door: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/random/Screenshot_20220326-130250_Speedtest-3c0.png https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/random/Screenshot_2022032... But I live in the basement of an old building... signal sucks inside, so I'm stuck with a 65/15Mbps FTTC connection (also with PlusNet).

by buu700 5y ago

So in short, 5G isn't particularly better than 4G all else being equal, but it is a prerequisite to expanding and improving service in ways that matter. Does that sound right?

zw123456 5y ago

Basically, 5G introduces some new technology that increases the so called spectral efficiency (bps/hz) that is how much tput you can deliver over the allocated spectrum. 5G introduces things like mm-wave tech using phased array antennas, better massive MIMO etc. But even with the tech, it's probably not enough to handle the demand they are hoping for, hence they spectrum buying spree they have been on lately. It goes back to the Shannon law talked about here, you either have to build more cells to make the signal better (better signal lets you pack more bps per hz, or you need more spectrum. Both are expensive, and most of them are doing both.

youngtaff 5y ago

My 5G connection is better (faster, more reliable) than my fixed line connection and only £20/month more for 10x download, 10x upload speed of the fixed line connnextion

pbhjpbhj 5y ago
Genuinely, how's the ping, could you play FPS games? Are you including the overhead of paying the line rental?
- youngtaff 5y ago
  VSDL2 — Plusnet £35/month 39mbps down, 8mbps up, 30-300ms RTT (it can be very variable depending on time of day) 5G — Vodafone £50/month ex VAT, 350-390mbps down, 40mbps up, 30ms RTT (and stable) Cell tower occasionally goes offline but in general the Vodafone connection is way better than the fixed line one
  - petercooper 5y ago
    I don't know the details of why but ping times on residential connections in the UK seem to run somewhat higher than those I've experienced in the US. I have a cable connection of over 500Mbps and the ping time is ~20ms to both my nearest speed test location (about 50 miles away) and 8.8.8.8. 3ms is within my home network. 15ms is to my first hop at my ISP(!!).. then 2-3ms is the rest. My DSL connection is somewhat worse but with a similar profile.
    - youngtaff 5y ago
      I think it’s a factor of how the networks are constructed and how ISP backhaul works As far as I can remember anyone on BT (or rebranded BT) gets dumped into their backbone that then exits onto the internet in a couple of places but it’s a while since I looked at it Is your experience of US connections based on connections in large metro areas, rather than rural ones?
      - petercooper 5y ago
        In recent years, yes. Last time I used the Internet in rural US was dialup(!) Looking at a Twitter search for people's 'Speedtest' results, though, provides anecdata. People in all sorts of countries seem to enjoy sub 10ms on even modest connections (e.g. https://twitter.com/grailph/status/1507258781574778883 https://twitter.com/grailph/status/1507258781574778883), whereas in the UK even a "good" connection gets a 10-15ms lag baked in.
  - celsoazevedo 5y ago
    Have you tried EE's 5G? Their unlimited business plan costs £30/month and at least in London they usually have better speeds and coverage. I'm currently testing Smarty (Three sub brand). £16/month, unlimited data, 30 days contract. Just outside my front door: https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/random/Screenshot_20220326-130250_Speedtest-3c0.png https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/random/Screenshot_2022032... But I live in the basement of an old building... signal sucks inside, so I'm stuck with a 65/15Mbps FTTC connection (also with PlusNet).