What is 5GE – Overview
AT&T launched the 5GE designation to steal the thunder from its competitors. The 5GE symbol in your phone indicates that you are in the 5G E coverage area.
What is 5GE?
AT&T started talking about the 5G Evolution technology in 2017 and finally launched it in December 2018. Most people think of 5GE as a technical standard. However, it is only a marketing strategy for the existing 4G network of AT&T.
5GE symbolizes the 5G Evolution network and signifies that your device is linked to the carrier’s 5G Evolution network.
AT&T claims its 5GE network incorporates features like carrier aggregation, 4×4 MIMO, and 256 QAM. According to them, these minor updates can increase the data speed and improve the service.
However, they are just some additional features with their existing 4G LTE network. Multiple other cellular operators also offer similar features and continue to refer to their networks as 4G LTE.
AT&T tried to give their customers a feeling that they are under a brand new 5G network coverage.
As a result, several users assumed they could upgrade to a new network even if they did not have a 5G phone. They thought that they could enjoy this service without making the necessary account changes or paying for the new service.
What Device Can Support a 5GE Network?
What Device Can Support a 5GE Network?
According to AT&T, around 20 devices can support the 5GE technologies. It does not guarantee that these devices will support the full 5G network after launch.
The iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are a few of Apple’s most recent iPhones that started showing the logo when iOS 12.2 was released.
The company also includes many Android phones featuring Qualcomm’s X24 LTE modem, such as the Galaxy S9 and Note 9 series. Naturally, the freshly unveiled Galaxy S10 family has also joined their ranks.
Difference between 5G and 5GE Network
| Subject | 5G | 5GE |
|---|---|---|
| First Used | 2018 | 2019 |
| Introduction | 5G is the most recent iteration of mobile networking innovation. | 5GE is only an AT&T marketing phrase. |
| Speed | 5G offers an average download speed of 500 Mbps and a peak download speed of 20 Gbps. | 5GE offers an average download speed of 30 Mbps and a peak download speed of 1 Gbps. |
| Compatibility | Only brand new devices support 5G network | 5GE generally works on your existing phone. |
| Availability | 5G is still in its infancy. 5G services are only available in specific cities. | 5GE services are available in most places. |
| Latency | It has less than 1 ms latency. | It has less than 5 ms latency. |
5G vs 5GE
It may sound like 5G Evolution is a variation, or perhaps an improvement, of the 5G network. However, 5G and 5GE are not the same. If you have a 5GE device next to a 5G device, that does not mean they are linked to the same network.
Even though they are both in the same place, using AT&T’s network, they represent different network types.
General Information
5G is more than just a platform for social media and video watching. It was created with methods that can change the world. Interaction with our technologies increases with the advancement of civilization.
Critical instruments in healthcare, supply chains, and homeland security are connected to high-speed internet through the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable rapid and precise responses.
Here are some examples of 5G improving industries –
- WiFi connected robots
- Remote patient monitoring
- Connected contact lenses
- Machine failure monitoring
- Automized transaction
The need for upgraded equipment that can connect to all of these additional wavelengths is one disadvantage of 5G networks.
After releasing the real 5G network, AT&T ceased promoting 5GE in 2020. They still use the acronym, though, since it gives the impression that their service is faster. Customers of AT&T will continue to see it on their phones, probably in places where they cannot connect to 5G.
It can be really confusing for the users. It misleads users into thinking that their old smartphones are 5G ready when they are actually not.
Users do not have to upgrade their gadgets to use the 5GE network. Users can keep utilizing their current devices at a download speed of around 20 Mbps.
Speed
Internet service providers today use a variety of wavelengths to deliver some of the fastest mobile internet. In places with less traffic, 5G users can enjoy download speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps).
You can download a typical HD movie at that pace in less than two seconds. Users should anticipate an average download speed of roughly 100 megabits (Mbps) per second in busy locations.
Due to their architecture, 5G internet providers are able to support 100 times more traffic on a network than 4G.
The 5GE network, on the other hand, offers a similar internet speed as the 4G LTE network. You can enjoy an average download speed of 30 Mbps and an upload speed of 15 Mbps. The peak download speed of the 5G LTE network is around 1 Gbps.
Depending on your mobile service provider, the phone, and the time of day, the speeds might be a little higher or lower.
Conclusion
A 5GE network is not much different than a 4G LTE network. AT&T just added some additional features to their existing 4G network and started calling it a 5GE network connection.
In other words, it was just a marketing strategy taken by the AT&T company to beat their competitors and gain more customers.
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