Mobile networks in the UK have changed immensely over time. Recall 3G days, where web-browsing was akin to crawling? Now, thanks to 4G and 5G ruling the roost, things have taken a massive jump. But is 5G truly worth upgrading to in 2025, or does 4G keep pace? Let’s have a closer glance at speeds and where the UK is right now.
5G vs 4G: Which is Faster?
When comparing 5G to 4G, there do exist some considerable differences in speed, but there is something to realize in understanding the distinction between theoretical and true speeds.
- Theoretical speeds are theoretical speeds in ideal conditions, for example, in laboratory conditions.
- Real-world speeds approximate what you’d expect if you’re actually on the move and using your phone on an operating network.
Theoretical Maximum Network Speeds
| Network Type | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| 3G | 7.2Mbps | 2Mbps |
| 3G HSPA+ | 42Mbps | 22Mbps |
| 4G LTE | 150Mbps | 50Mbps |
| 4G LTE-Advanced | 300Mbps | 150Mbps |
| 5G | 10Gbps+ | 1Gbps |
In theory, 5G is capable of achieving some serious speeds, including download speeds of more than 10Gbps and upload speeds of more than 1Gbps. These, though, are theoretical. Reality might be different.
Typical Real World Network Speeds
| Network Type | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| 3G | 3 | 0.4 |
| 3G HSPA+ | 6 | 3 |
| 4G LTE | 20 | 5 |
| 4G LTE-Advanced | 42 | 10 |
| 5G | 70-205 | 11.49 |
As you may realize, speeds in reality do tend to fall below theoretical maxes, but they’re nonetheless an improvement compared to prior to. If you’re seeing speeds for something like streaming, downloading, or games, speeds in reality such as these are what you’ll have.
My Experience with Lyca Mobile
When it comes to Lyca, in my personal case, I have reached download speeds of up to 180Mbps on occasions. That is several multiples of average 4G speeds, but is short of 5G speeds, which start around 70Mbps and up to and in access of 200Mbps depending on where you’re and network conditions.
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How 5G is Transforming Connectivity
With the arrival of 5G, operators are offering significantly better speeds and latencies, particularly for bandwidth-consuming services like games, video calling, and cloud services.
- Key Benefits of 5G:
- Faster speeds: 5G is capable of delivering unbelievably fast speeds, and thus, smooth HD quality video streaming, downloads, and lagless games.
- Reduced latency: No longer do games take time to load, no longer do movies buffer – in short, it’s effectively immediate.
- Better network capability: 5G is capable of accommodating thousands of devices in parallel, something required for city centres and stadia.
For example, a 50GB game, such as, may take several hours to download on 4G but only take several minutes on 5G. And, if 10-20ms is achieved for latency, games and video calling feel more responsive, and feel like interacting in real-time.
Mobile Hotspot Broadband and 5G: The Future of Home Internet
In 2025, 5G is no longer simply improving on mobile internet, but is redefining broadband in the household. Many UK households have ditched traditional broadband in their homes, and for good reasons: Check out article here
- Fast speeds: 5G is able to provide download speeds of 300Mbps and more, and in most scenarios, is faster than standard fibre broadband.
- No installation is required: You just need to have a 5G router, and you’re good to go—no time-consuming installation and no landline required.
- Great for rentees and frequent movers: Because 5G broadband for the home is transportable and does not require having to have a fixed line, it is perfect for frequent movers.
Many mobile operators offer 5G broadband plans, perfect for any person who is on the lookout for an agile, fast internet solution for their home.
Coverage: Is 5G Ubiquitous Now?
The big problem is, how widespread is 5G in the UK? Whilst coverage is considerably better than in the initial rollout, there is still patchiness.
- EE is in the forefront, having 99.5% urban cover.
- Three comes in close, giving 98.2% cover.
- Vodafone is behind by 95.7%, and 91.6% is available by O2.
For those in urban areas, 5G is effectively standard today. For rural communities, however, 5G is catching up, but network operators continue to expand their footprints.
UK Network Coverage (2025)
| Network | 5G Coverage in Large Cities | 5G Coverage in Rural Areas |
|---|---|---|
| EE | 99.5% | 81.7% |
| Three | 98.2% | 77.6% |
| Vodafone | 95.7% | 73.9% |
| O2 | 91.6% | 66.3% |
Although 5G is prevalent in cities, rural communities may either have 4G or wait for rollout to include them. The silver lining is, however, that such disparities narrow year by year.
The Decline of 3G and Rise of 4G and 5G
By 2025, 3G networks have closed to make way for 4G and 5G networks to take up bandwidth. 3G, while sufficient for phone and texting, simply cannot handle today’s data demands.
- Older phones: If you have an older phone, and it only handles 3G, replace it.
- 4G and 5G: These two occupy, and better speeds and services lie ahead.
In fact, 5G and 4G networks today have much better capacity, speed, and reliability, and 3G is no longer required. If you’re on 3G and not on 4G or 5G, today is a great time to upgrade.
What’s Next After 5G? The 6G Horizon
As crazy as it sounds, 6G is in its developmental phases. We’re supposed to have speeds up to 1Tbps (1,000Gbps) according to professionals. We’re years away, but future networking for our phones is exhilarating.
- Ultra-fast downloads: Imagine downloading a full-length movie in less than a second.
- Holographic calls: Leaving behind video calling—6G is expected to bring live holograms to our homes.
- Near-zero latency: 6G may be so speedy that data transit time may no longer be noticeable.
But, for now, we’re still reaping the dividends of 4G and 5G.
Final Thoughts – 5G Upgrade in 2025: Will It Be Worth It?
If you’re thinking of upgrading to a better phone or phone plan, here’s the scoop:
- For heavy phone users: If you game, stream, or conduct business on your phone, 5G is going to completely revolutionize your experience.
- For casual use: If you only need basic web for web-browsing or for access to social media, 4G is sufficient.
- 5G home broadband: If you do not feel like having to contend with a wire in the house, 5G broadband is something to think about for speedy, convenient internet.
5G might not have reached everywhere, but is certainly ruling urban centres and is showing considerable improvement. If future-proofing is on your list, 5G is undoubtedly where to begin.
