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What is 5G UC – Overview
5G is the fastest cellular networking standard currently. Mobile operators generally show different icons based on the type of 5G network you are connected to. These icons reflect the expected speed when connected to your mobile or tablet with a cellular network.
What is 5G UC?
The term 5G UC is generally used by mobile network operators which means 5G Ultra Capacity. The 5G UC indicates the fastest 5G network available.
T-Mobile uses the term 5G UC to indicate the fastest network speed, but Verizon calls the same thing with a different term 5G UW. AT&T indicates the same connection speed as 5G Plus.
The 5G UC network can provide faster speeds than other standard 5G network connections. This 5G cellular network connection is available with mid and low-band connections.
T-Mobile offers two different types of 5G connections to its customers. The icons 5G UC stands for ultra capacity and 5G XR for extended range. The 5G XR is the lowest 5G connection and has the same frequency as the 4G LTE.
How Do You See the 5G UC Icon?
You must be in a location with an ultra-capacity 5G connection to see the 5G UC icon on your compatible device. For example, this icon appears if you are connected to the ultra-capacity 5G network of T-Mobile. It started to appear on iPhones in September 2021. Now it displays on Android phones too.
What is the 5G UC Band?
What Is 5G UC – What Is the 5G UC Band
If the 5G UC icon appears on your mobile screen, your handset is connected to a T-Mobile 5G network connection. You are using mid-band and mmWave, which is way faster than any extended-range connection. In addition, 5G UC can use higher frequencies than any previous-generation connection.
This 5G UC network with higher capacity and speed requires more investment by cellular providers to develop this technology.
Therefore, 5G UC services are available only in major cities. However, you can always check your service provider’s coverage map to find out if a 5G UC connection is available in your area or not.
5G UC and Regular 5G
The 5G UC network of T-Mobile is way faster than the standard 5G network. However, the 5G network offers more speed than the general 4G network. The 5G or 5G XR range can cover larger areas than the standard 4G network. But. It can not match the speed of the 5G UC network.
5G UC network needs rich infrastructure, more investments, and limited range. You can only get this service in major cities.
The 5G UC logo on your mobile does not always indicate that you are connected to the fastest network band. This is because only a few smartphone devices have the required hardware for 5G mmWave. If your device supports 5G sub-6GHz, you can get 5G UC. However, you can only get up to mid-band networks, not anything beyond that.
Does 5G UC Drain More Battery?
5G UC or 5G ultra capacity relies on the high and low band frequencies. However, these frequencies are not very common outside big cities because they are costly and require higher technology.
Moreover, if your mobile needs to hunt for a signal constantly, your smartphone’s battery life can be inferior compared to the standard 4G LET and 5G networks.
Conclusion
If terms like 5G UC, 5G Plus, or 5G UW appear on your smartphone, you are using the faster and higher 5G network connection. You can see these signs only in the build-up areas or large cities.
If you see 5G XR on your smartphone, that indicates you are using the lower end of the 5G spectrum. This offers a speed somewhat equivalent to a 4G LET network connection.
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