How much faster is 5G really?

Here’s the real story on 5G speeds—from “that’s fast” to “wow.”

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Man Sitting On Bleachers With Smartphone | How Fast Is 5G

This is a common question when people are considering (or have just purchased) a Verizon 5G-capable phone or device. While the device itself will be an upgrade, you’re wondering if the 5G experience will be an upgrade too.

So how fast is 5G? The answer depends on the coverage in your area and the carrier you choose, but it ranges from “fast” to “amazingly fast.” Plus, Verizon was recently awarded with providing customers the Most Reliable 5G network in the U.S. for the third consecutive test period, according to RootMetrics’® State of 5G in the U.S. report.1 Let’s unpack the network a little more.

How fast is 5G: Verizon 5G Nationwide

This is Verizon’s most widely available 5G service. It’s available in more than 2,700 cities across the U.S.

5G Nationwide uses low-band spectrum to offer great coverage on the Verizon network, with speeds similar to what’s available via 4G LTE.

You can tell that you’re on 5G Nationwide when you see a small “5G” symbol on your phone.

How fast is 5G: Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband

Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband uses high-band (mmWave) and mid-band (C-band) spectrum to deliver Verizon’s top-of-the-line 5G experience. 5G Ultra Wideband is 10 times faster than 4G LTE2.

So how fast is that really? With 5G Ultra Wideband:

  • You can download a movie in minutes and a song in seconds.3

  • You can get audio and video in HD.4

  • You also can experience console-quality gaming on the go.5

You can tell that you’re on Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband when you see a “5G UW” or “5G UWB” symbol on your phone.

Is 5G available near me?

Learn more about where Verizon 5G Nationwide and 5G Ultra Wideband are available here.

By the end of 2022, it’s expected that more than 175 million people in the U.S. will have access to 5G Ultra Wideband on America’s most reliable 5G network.1 Remember, all networks are not the same—only Verizon is the most awarded and most trusted, with the most reliable 5G.

The choice is clear. America relies on Verizon. See what 5G can do for you.


1 Most reliable 5G network based on more first place rankings in RootMetrics® 5G data reliability assessments of 125 metro markets conducted in 1H 2022. Tested with best commercially available smartphones on 3 national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of Verizon.

2 Based on analysis by Verizon of Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data of 5G UWB and 4G LTE median download speeds in the U.S. Q2 2022. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

3 Download speeds may vary depending upon network and coverage conditions, and content optimization for 5G Ultra Wideband.

4 HD availability may depend on the specific Verizon data plan in which a customer is enrolled.

5 Lag dependent upon 5G spectrum used.

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