What are 5G speeds, and how do they compare to 2G, 3G and 4G?

Each generation of cellular network moved the ceiling on how much data a device can move. This guide compares the speeds of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, then covers the two standards most IoT deployments actually run on: LTE-M and NB-IoT.

Summary

• 5G reaches a theoretical peak of 20 Gbit/s download, against up to 300 Mbit/s for 4G LTE and 42 Mbit/s for 3G.

• From 2G to 5G, peak download speed increased roughly 400,000 times.

• Real-world speed sits far below these figures. Network load, distance from the mast and operator all change the result.

• 3G has been switched off across the UK. Devices still running on 3G need migrating.

• Most IoT devices send small, infrequent payloads, which is why 500 MB across ten years covers the majority of projects.

How fast is 2G?

2G was built for voice and text, with data added later through GPRS and EDGE.

• Download: up to 50 kbit/s

• Upload: up to 20 kbit/s

2G still runs in the UK, but operators have published end dates between 2029 and 2030. Any deployment planned to run past that point needs a migration path.

Is 3G still available?

No. All UK mobile network operators have completed their 3G switch-offs.

For reference, 3G with HSPA reached:

• Download: up to 21 Mbit/s on a single carrier, up to 42 Mbit/s with dual carrier

• Upload: up to 11.5 Mbit/s

Typical 3G modules used in machine-to-machine deployments ran at a few Mbit/s, with round-trip latency of 50 to 100 ms. Devices built around 3G modules no longer connect in the UK and need replacing with 4G, LTE-M or NB-IoT hardware.

How fast is 4G?

4G and LTE are the same technology. LTE is the radio standard that delivers 4G, and LTE-Advanced is a later release of that same standard rather than a separate generation. You will see all three names used for one network.

• Download: 5 Mbit/s to 100 Mbit/s, with peaks up to 300 Mbit/s under optimal conditions with LTE-Advanced

• Upload: 2 Mbit/s to 10 Mbit/s, rising to 50 Mbit/s with LTE-Advanced

4G remains the workhorse. It carries the majority of cellular traffic in the UK and reaches far more of the country than 5G does.

How fast is 5G?

5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology and the fastest available.

• Download: theoretical peak of 20 Gbit/s

• Upload: varies by operator and spectrum

These are theoretical maximums defined by the standard, measured under conditions no deployed device will meet. Real 5G speeds depend on how busy the cell is, how far the device sits from it, and which frequency band the operator uses.

Speed comparison at a glance

Where LTE-M and NB-IoT fit

Peak speed is the wrong metric for most IoT projects. A sensor sending one reading per hour gains nothing from 5G. What matters is coverage, power draw and cost per device.

LTE-M and NB-IoT are cellular standards built for exactly that. Both run on existing 4G infrastructure and both carry forward into 5G networks.

Choose LTE-M for:

• Vehicles, trailers, containers and other moving assets

• Use cases needing sub-second response

• Devices receiving firmware updates over the air

Choose NB-IoT for:

• Underground meters, basements and metal enclosures

• Battery-powered devices on multi-year deployment cycles

• Small readings sent at long intervals

Both support Power Saving Mode and eDRX, which let a device sleep between transmissions instead of holding the radio open.

Which standard fits your deployment?

Asking yourself these questions could be relevant before specifying hardware:

• Does anything need to respond in under a second? If not, NB-IoT is likely enough.

• Do the devices move between cells? If yes, LTE-M over NB-IoT.

• Are devices in basements, vaults or metal housings? NB-IoT penetrates deepest.

• Are devices battery-powered for years? LTE-M or NB-IoT, not 4G or 5G.

• Do you stream video or move large files continuously? Only then does 5G throughput earn its cost.

Coverage decides the outcome before speed does. A device outside 5G coverage runs on 4G regardless of what the module supports.