Is upgrading to 5G FWA worth it?
If you are already running a 4G FWA setup, the case for upgrading to 5G depends on what spectrum is actually deployed at the mast serving your site, how congested that mast is, and whether the speed increase is worth the hardware outlay.
In areas where operators have deployed 5G on mid-band n78 spectrum with good coverage at your location, the upgrade is usually worth it. Real-world improvements of 3-5x throughput are common when moving from a 4G router on Band 20 or Band 3 to a 5G device on n78. The capacity headroom also means 5G cells tend to be less congested per user than legacy 4G cells, which improves peak-time performance.
In rural areas served only by low-band 5G at 700 MHz, the practical speed improvement over 4G on 800 MHz may be modest. Both bands cover similar geography; the 5G NR air interface is more efficient but the raw spectrum capacity is similar.
Speed comparison
| Technology | Bands | Typical FWA speed | Max MIMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | B20, B3, B1, B7 | 30-100 Mbps | 4×4 |
| 4G LTE-A (CA) | Multi-band aggregation | 80-300 Mbps | 4×4 |
| 5G NR Sub-6 (NSA) | n78, n1, n28 | 100-500 Mbps | 4×4 per layer |
| 5G NR Sub-6 (SA) | n78, n28 | 150-600 Mbps | 4×4 |
Hardware differences
5G routers and CPE cost more than equivalent 4G hardware. Entry-level 5G routers with indoor use in mind start around £150-200. High-performance outdoor 5G CPE runs £300-500. 4G outdoor CPE of comparable quality can be found for £80-150.
If your budget is constrained, a well-specified 4G setup with a good outdoor antenna is often a better investment than a cheap indoor 5G router on marginal 5G coverage. The quality of the installation matters more than the generation of radio technology in borderline situations.
When 5G makes a clear difference
The upgrade makes clear sense when: you can see strong n78 coverage at your address on the operator’s coverage checker, there is a physical mast within 1-2 km that you know is on 5G mid-band, your current 4G connection is congested at peak times, or you need speeds above 100 Mbps for regular use.
If you are getting 80 Mbps reliably from a 4G setup and that meets your needs, the practical case for an immediate 5G upgrade is weaker. The technology will improve and hardware prices will fall; there is no urgency in switching for its own sake.