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A Guide to 5G Routers 2024
5G is the latest in mobile network technology, enabling more devices to get online while offering faster services and improving experiences. If you live in an area with 5G, the technology also means you can get a broadband deal without a fixed landline. Despite the broad benefits of mobile broadband, it’s not always clear how it works. To find out more, we explore what a 5G router actually is and how it could change the way you get WiFi at home.
Last updated: 20 March, 2024 | Estimated Reading Time: 5 Minutes
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology. It’s a generation beyond 4G (fourth generation), which is what most smartphones currently use to access the internet. Not only is 5G significantly faster, it provides a stable platform that increases connectivity, supporting far more devices than existing wireless technology. 5G also provides low latency, which is the time it takes for your instructions to be carried out by the device. The lower the latency, the more instantly your device responds to a command.
All these qualities mean that 5G can be used to improve everyday services and experiences through the internet of things (IoT), which is where devices from different industries and sectors can be connected.
What are 5G routers?
Routers connect devices to the internet. If your broadband provider is BT or Sky, your BT Hub or Sky Hub is the router that creates your WiFi network at home. A 5G router simply uses wireless 5G technology to connect your devices to the internet, similar to how 4G routers work if you already have mobile broadband.
One of the greatest benefits of 5G is that you don’t need a landline. Instead, access to the internet is typically via a SIM card, similar to what you’d get in your mobile phone. It’s this SIM inside the router that enables you to get online using 5G.
How much faster is 5G compared to a 4G router or fixed line broadband?
5G is considerably faster than 4G technology. Current 4G mobile broadband achieves an average speed of up to 27Mbps (megabits per second), whereas 5G can achieve average speeds of between 150-250Mbps. In some instances, users can experience speeds of up to 1Gbps (gigabits per second).
To offer a real world example; downloading a film using 4G could take up to seven minutes, while using 5G could do it in less than 10 seconds.
Can 5G replace broadband?
5G isn’t available everywhere in the UK just yet, so whether 5G can replace either your 4G router or fixed broadband depends entirely on where you live. The rollout of 5G has so far been limited to towns and cities but you can find out if 5G is available where you live by entering your postcode at Ofcom’s coverage checker tool.
If you can access 5G where you live, you’ll need a 5G router to connect your devices. Some routers come with the SIM installed already while other routers require you to add it just as you would with a new smartphone.
Where can I get a 5G router?
You can buy 5G mobile broadband deals from EE, Three and Vodafone which include a 5G SIM and router. These packages work in a similar way to your mobile phone contract in that you pay monthly for a fixed-term contract with a certain amount of data included.
Alternatively, you can buy a router and SIM separately. If you do this, you’ll need to make sure the device is unlocked and has a SIM slot which can be used with the SIM you purchase.
Do 5G routers need antennas for WiFi connectivity?
Most routers come with internal antennas but, if you need or want to boost the 5G signal in your home, you can buy an external antenna to link to your router.
Buying an antenna for your router isn’t as simple as it might sound. Firstly, you’ll need to find out if the router allows you to add an antenna. You can check this by looking for antenna ports on the router itself.
Secondly, the antenna you buy must support the same frequency used by your network. If you have a bundle from Three, for instance, you’ll need to find out which frequency it uses and then find an antenna that uses the same frequency. Current frequencies used by 5G network providers are:
- EE: 3.4GHz, 3.6GHz, 700MHz
- Three: 3.4GHz, 3.6GHz, 700MHz
- Vodafone: 3.4GHz, 3.6GHz
Compare 5G routers
If you buy a 5G router from a network (EE, Three or Vodafone, for example), it will usually have a built-in SIM card. This could also mean there is no accessible SIM slot, so you won’t be able to use a SIM card from anywhere but the network you bought the router from.
It’s also worth knowing that some network branded routers are actually manufactured by other firms. For instance, Vodafone’s Gigacube 5G router is made by Huawei. With that in mind, if you’re keen on a specific router, it’s worth checking which manufacturer is behind the brand. Currently, known router manufacturers that each of the main networks use are:
- EE: Zyxel NR5103 (replaces the Huawei 5G CPE pro)
- Three: Zyxel NR5103E
- Vodafone: Huawei 5G CPE Pro
Here are some examples of 5G packages currently on offer through each of the major networks:
| Network provider | Cost per month | Length of contract | GB data included |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE | £45 (£60 upfront cost) | 18 months | 500GB data |
| EE | £50 (£60 upfront cost) | 18 months | Unlimited data |
| Three | £10* (£0 upfront cost) | Rolling one month contract | Unlimited data |
| Vodafone | £20 (£100 upfront cost) | 24 months | 100GB data |
| Vodafone | £23 (£50 upfront cost) | 24 months | 200GB data |
| Vodafone | £43 (£50 upfront cost) | 24 months | Unlimited data |
*Time-limited special offer, price will revert to £20 per month after six months.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, 5G is available in the UK but not everywhere. Officially switched on in 2019, 5G has been slowly rolled out to cities and larger towns including:
- London
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Aberdeen
- Cambridge
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Luton
- Milton Keynes
While increasing connectivity and expanding the wireless network will increase radio wave activity, exposure is likely to be low and not affect public health. To ensure any effects remain minimal, the UK Health Security Agency (previously Public Health England) continues to monitor 5G, along with other forms of radio technology.
If the router is unlocked, you can use any 5G SIM in the device.
5G does not use more data than 4G as the data content of a download doesn’t change. However, because 5G is significantly faster, you’re able to download higher quality content (for example, a film in high definition rather than standard definition) which would use more data.
On mobile devices such as your smartphone, you may notice that using 5G drains your battery. This is only because your smartphone is likely to be switching from 4G to 5G in order to get the strongest signal (remember, 5G is not available everywhere). Switching between networks frequently like this drains battery power. As 5G coverage increases, this will become less of a problem.
Most 5G routers will support 4G (as a Blu-ray player supports DVDs), but you can only use a 5G enabled device to access 5G.
5G is still relatively new technology and reliable 5G signals are still not available in many parts of the UK. As with other types of technology, once it becomes more accessible prices are likely to fall.
