5G technology offers a faster experience but doesn’t guarantee a consistent connection. The peak download speed varies significantly across locations depending on the band you access. These bands are divided by frequencies and form the three versions of 5G. They are named high-band, mid-band, and low-band.
Low-band (below 1GHz) is comparable to 4G LTE speeds but offers more coverage. This is because its signal can penetrate obstacles over long distances. If you’re connected to a 5G network outside a major population center, chances are that it’s low band.
High-band (between 30 and 300 GHz, also known as mmWave) has the speed to download a movie in seconds, but this comes at a cost. Even the slightest obstacle can prevent a high-band connection. However, the FCC is expanding the range of high-band frequencies to minimize these issues.
Mid-band (Between 1 and 7GHz) has been the main driver of the 5G rollout. It forms the backbone of connectivity, with a good mixture of coverage and capacity. Within this band, the U.S. uses the 3.7 to 4.2Ghz range, also known as C-band. This is the most important 5G band.
Once the foundation of 5G was established, carriers had to decide what bands they wanted to invest in. Due to the limited coverage of high-band 5G, all three carriers grouped their high-band and mid-range services together. These services are 5G UW, 5GUC, and 5G Plus. When you’re connected to one of these networks, an icon representing it shows up on your phone.
Verizon’s 5G UW stands for 5G Ultra Wideband, which includes Verizon’s high-band and mid-band networks. 5G UC, 5G+, and 5G UW all mean the same thing and will get you the fastest transfer speeds for that carrier. That said, regular 5G will still do the job outside of crowded arenas and sporting events, so you don’t have to worry about which logo your smartphone shows at any given time.
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