Oct 10, 2025
Here at Connectivity, we offer both 4G and 5G routers as part of our unlimited data mobile broadband plans.
What are the differences between 4G and 5G - and what will the rollout of 6G mean for mobile internet?
4G vs 5G vs 6G - The Essential Stats
4G | 5G | 6G | |
Typical real-world speeds | 18-36 Mbps | 80-900 Mbps | 50 Gbps+ (Predicted) |
Theoretical maximum speed | 300 Mbps | 10-50 Gbps | |
Average Latency | 36-48 milliseconds | 17-34 milliseconds | <1 millisecond (Predicted) |
96% coverage | 62% coverage | Not yet available | |
UK Rollout year | 2010 | 2020 | 2030 (Predicted) |
Do I need 4G or 5G?
A 4G connection is roughly equivalent to a superfast or FTTC broadband connection. It’s suitable for online shopping, streaming music, working on documents and social media.
A 5G connection is equivalent to Ultrafast full-fibre broadband. It’s recommended if you have multiple users online at once at home, if you stream HD video or video call regularly or if you are an internet power user.
Read more about how mobile broadband compares to fibre here.
What happened to 3G internet?
3G internet used to be the highest standard for mobile internet, but by the end of 2025, all mobile networks will have ended their 3G service.
This was done at the instruction of Uk mobile regulator Ofcom. All mobile signals share the bandwidth of the electromagnetic spectrum. As technology has advanced, Ofcom made the decision to stop broadcasting 2G and 3G signals to make more room for 4G and 5G - and, eventually, 6G - signals.
The last mobile provider still operating a 3G network is Virgin Media O2, but the network will no longer be supported by the end of the year.
If your phone, or other devices in your home that use a mobile SIM, aren’t 4G compatible, you’ll need to upgrade them as the current models will stop working entirely.
When will I be able to get 6G internet?
It’s currently predicted that 6G internet will be rolled out worldwide around 2030. Research is currently ongoing, with China reporting the launch of the world’s first 6G satellite next year.
The rollout depends on further development, both in network technology and phones and mobile devices, to be able to take advantage of the improvements.
Once this research is complete, we’ll also need to wait for the upgrading or replacement of the existing mobile infrastructure. Some of us may be impatient for 6G, but 38% of the UK are still waiting for reliable 5G coverage.
Which mobile provider will offer 6G first?
We currently don't know which mobile company will be the first to offer 6G service to UK customers. However, back in 2020, EE was the first company to launch a 5G network across 6 major UK cities.
Based on that, it seems likely EE will again be the first to launch a 6G service. However, Vodafone and Three recently merged networks to expand coverage. If you are eager to get access to 6G as soon as it’s available, a multi-network connection is the safest way to guarantee access to the UK’s top speed as the network is upgraded.
