Why your phone’s 5G symbol might be misleading
Tests found nearly 40% of 5G signals fail to deliver faster speeds.
Many mobile users seeing a 5G symbol on their phones are not actually connected to a true 5G network, new research has found. Tests by PolicyTracker revealed that in almost 40% of cases, phones showing 5G were still operating on slower 4G connections.
Researchers conducted 11,000 tests in London, Birmingham, and North Lincolnshire across four networks. They discovered that most devices displayed the 5G logo simply to indicate a 5G signal’s presence, not an active high-speed link. Consumers often pay extra for plans that fail to deliver faster performance.
PolicyTracker’s Martin Sims said the issue stems from how networks define 5G connectivity. Even with newer ‘standalone 5G’ plans, phones can still drop back to 4G when faster connections are unavailable, making the upgrade poor value for many users.
Mobile UK, representing the country’s major operators, confirmed that the symbol only signals a 5G-capable area. Consumer advocates are now urging clearer communication from providers, arguing that customers deserve accurate information about the services they pay for.
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