Common Questions About 5G Coverage

5G (Fifth Generation) is the latest generation of mobile network technology, designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous generations. Key differences from 4G include:

• Speed: 5G can deliver speeds from 100 Mbps up to 20 Gbps, compared to 4G's typical 20-100 Mbps range
• Latency: 5G offers latency as low as 1-10 milliseconds, compared to 4G's 30-50 milliseconds
• Capacity: 5G supports up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometre, versus 4G's 100,000 devices per square kilometre
• Efficiency: 5G uses advanced technologies like network slicing and beamforming for more efficient spectrum utilisation

These improvements enable new applications such as autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, smart cities, and enhanced mobile broadband experiences.

5G networks began commercial deployment in Australia in 2019. The rollout occurred in phases:

• 2019: Initial commercial launches in Sydney and Melbourne by major telecommunications providers
• 2020: Expansion to other capital cities and major metropolitan areas
• 2021-2022: Deployment to regional centres and suburban areas
• 2023-2024: Continued regional expansion and mmWave deployment in select urban areas

The rollout continues progressively, with ongoing infrastructure investment expanding coverage to additional locations.

Yes, you need a 5G-capable device to access 5G networks. Regular 4G phones cannot connect to 5G networks. Important considerations:

• Device Compatibility: Your phone must support 5G technology and the specific frequency bands used by networks in your area
• Band Support: Different devices support different 5G bands - ensure your device supports bands deployed in your region
• Firmware Updates: Some devices may require software updates to enable 5G functionality
• Network Settings: 5G must be enabled in your device settings and your plan must support 5G access

Most smartphones released from 2020 onwards include 5G capability, though budget and some mid-range models may still be 4G-only.

5G coverage is concentrated in areas with higher population density. Current availability includes:

• Capital Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra have extensive coverage across most urban and suburban areas
• Regional Centres: Major regional towns and cities (population 20,000+) increasingly have 5G coverage
• Coastal Corridors: Areas along major population corridors, particularly on the east coast, have good coverage
• Transport Routes: Coverage along major highways connecting population centres

Coverage is limited in rural and remote areas, where 4G and 3G remain the primary networks. Check specific locations using telecommunications provider coverage maps or consult local resources.

Several methods can help determine 5G availability at your specific location:

• Provider Coverage Maps: Each telecommunications provider offers online coverage maps where you can search by address
• ACMA Tower Database: The Australian Communications and Media Authority provides data on telecommunications tower locations
• Device Testing: Visit the location with a 5G-capable device to verify actual connectivity
• Local Enquiries: Ask neighbours or local businesses about their network experiences
• Direct Contact: Contact telecommunications providers directly for address-specific verification

Note that coverage maps provide general guidance but may not reflect actual indoor coverage or signal quality at specific addresses.

Limited 5G coverage in rural areas is primarily due to economic and technical factors:

• Population Density: Lower population density makes infrastructure investment economically challenging, as costs are amortised across fewer users
• Infrastructure Costs: Deploying base stations and backhaul connections across vast distances requires significant capital investment
• Geographic Challenges: Mountainous terrain and large distances complicate network deployment and maintenance
• Alternative Solutions: 4G, 3G, and satellite networks often provide adequate connectivity for rural needs at lower cost
• Demand Considerations: Rural demand for ultra-high-speed services may not yet justify 5G investment in all locations

Some rural areas with strategic importance (mining communities, agricultural hubs, major transport corridors) are receiving selective 5G deployment based on specific business cases.

5G will not immediately replace 4G networks. The transition will occur progressively over many years:

• Coexistence Period: 4G and 5G networks will operate in parallel for the foreseeable future
• Gradual Migration: As 5G coverage expands and device adoption increases, 4G usage will gradually decline
• Regional Differences: Urban areas will transition faster than rural and remote locations
• Use Case Suitability: Some applications and locations may continue using 4G due to sufficient performance and lower costs

Telecommunications providers are committed to maintaining 4G networks while expanding 5G coverage. Complete 4G network shutdown is not expected for many years, if at all.

5G speeds vary significantly based on location, spectrum band, network congestion, and device capabilities:

• Low-Band 5G: Typical speeds of 50-250 Mbps, with coverage similar to 4G networks
• Mid-Band 5G: Typical speeds of 100-1000 Mbps, balancing coverage and performance
• High-Band/mmWave 5G: Potential speeds of 1-20 Gbps, but only available in limited urban areas with dense infrastructure

Real-World Expectations: Most users in covered areas experience speeds between 150-500 Mbps during normal usage. Actual speeds may be lower during peak hours or in congested network conditions.

Factors Affecting Speed: Distance from base station, obstacles between device and antenna, number of simultaneous users, and device capabilities all impact actual speeds achieved.

5G speeds can fluctuate due to several dynamic factors:

• Network Congestion: Peak usage times (evenings, weekends, events) increase demand on network capacity
• Load Balancing: Networks dynamically allocate bandwidth based on total demand in coverage areas
• Interference: Signal interference from other networks or devices can affect connection quality
• Mobility: Moving between different coverage cells and base stations can cause speed variations
• Environmental Factors: Weather conditions can affect signal propagation, particularly for mmWave frequencies

Speed variations are normal and expected in shared network environments. Networks are continuously optimised to balance performance across all users.

mmWave (millimetre wave) refers to high-frequency 5G spectrum bands (26-40 GHz) that offer ultra-fast speeds but have very limited range:

• Characteristics: Delivers speeds up to 20 Gbps but has an effective range of only 100-500 metres
• Signal Limitations: Easily blocked by buildings, walls, trees, and even rain
• Infrastructure Requirements: Requires very dense base station deployment (every 100-200 metres)
• Deployment Focus: Primarily deployed in high-density urban areas like CBDs, stadiums, and entertainment precincts

Limited Deployment Reasons: The high infrastructure costs and technical challenges make mmWave deployment economically viable only in areas with very high user density and demand for ultra-high-speed services.

Most Australian 5G coverage uses mid-band spectrum, which offers a better balance of coverage and performance for widespread deployment.

5G networks operate within safety standards established by international and Australian regulatory authorities:

• Regulatory Standards: The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) sets safety limits for electromagnetic radiation
• International Consensus: World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health agencies have found no evidence of harmful effects from 5G at regulated levels
• Compliance Requirements: All telecommunications equipment must meet strict safety standards before deployment
• Monitoring: Regulatory authorities conduct ongoing monitoring and research into electromagnetic radiation effects

Key Points: 5G uses radio frequency electromagnetic fields, which have been studied extensively for decades. Current scientific evidence does not indicate that 5G poses health risks when operating within established safety limits.

For the most current health and safety information, refer to official sources such as ARPANSA and the WHO.

5G can affect battery life in various ways depending on usage patterns and network conditions:

• Initial Drawback: Early 5G implementations were less power-efficient, potentially reducing battery life
• Improved Efficiency: Newer devices and network technologies have significantly improved 5G power efficiency
• Conditional Usage: Battery impact depends on signal strength - poor 5G signals may consume more power than strong 4G signals
• Data Transfer: Faster data speeds can actually save battery by completing transfers more quickly, reducing active connection time

Practical Advice: Modern smartphones automatically optimise network selection to balance performance and battery life. Users concerned about battery consumption can manually select 4G when maximum speed is not required, though this limits connectivity options.

Current generation 5G devices show minimal battery difference between 4G and 5G usage under typical conditions.

Complete nationwide 5G coverage is not expected in the foreseeable future due to economic and practical considerations:

• Ongoing Expansion: 5G coverage continues to expand progressively in regional areas and along transport corridors
• Economic Viability: Complete rural and remote coverage may never be economically viable without significant government subsidies
• Alternative Technologies: Satellite, fixed wireless, and other technologies will continue serving areas where 5G deployment is impractical
• Technology Evolution: Future 6G or other technologies may eventually address coverage gaps more effectively than 5G

Realistic Expectations: Expect continued expansion in regional Australia through 2025 and beyond, but some areas will remain without 5G coverage for the foreseeable future. 4G and alternative connectivity solutions will continue serving these locations.

The focus remains on serving areas where 5G provides meaningful performance improvements and where deployment is economically viable.

5G development in Australia continues to evolve with several key trends and developments:

• Coverage Expansion: Ongoing infrastructure investment continues to expand coverage in regional and suburban areas
• Network Slicing: Advanced technology enabling custom network configurations for different use cases (IoT, enterprise, consumer)
• Enterprise Applications: Growing adoption in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics
• Smart City Integration: Deployment of connected infrastructure and services in urban environments
• Technology Evolution: Continuous improvements in efficiency, capacity, and capabilities through software and hardware upgrades

Future Outlook: 5G will become increasingly integrated into daily life and business operations, enabling new applications and services that leverage its speed, capacity, and low latency characteristics. The technology will serve as a foundation for digital transformation across industries.