401: Sandwich-Closing Force

Coverage

The discussion on 5G coverage highlights significant gaps in network availability, even in areas that appear well-covered on maps. Marco Arment shares his experience of discovering a large coverage hole near his home, despite being close to an AT&T cell tower 1. This inconsistency raises questions about the accuracy of coverage maps and the challenges in deploying 5G infrastructure effectively. John Siracusa notes that while millimeter wave technology is expected to be available across major carriers, its current deployment is limited to specific urban areas 2.

It's almost as if you have to put wifi routers everywhere. Like it's that kind of scale coverage.

--- Marco Arment

The complexity of 5G deployment suggests that widespread coverage may still be a distant goal.

   

Speed

5G technology promises remarkable speed capabilities, yet its practical utility remains under scrutiny. Casey Liss reflects on the evolution of internet speeds, noting that 5G can achieve download speeds of up to 2.5 gigabits per second, a significant leap from past broadband capabilities 3. However, these speeds are often theoretical and not consistently experienced by users. Liss recalls the excitement of upgrading to faster internet in the past, contrasting it with the current potential of 5G 4.

This is real world actual results that he got on these review units.

--- Casey Liss

The challenge lies in translating these impressive speeds into everyday utility for consumers.

   

Challenges

5G networks face numerous challenges, from technological limitations to practical usage dilemmas. Marco Arment points out that while 5G offers technical marvels, its benefits are often limited to small areas and can quickly exhaust data caps 5. John Siracusa highlights the disparity between download and upload speeds, with uploads lagging significantly behind 6.

It's only on in these very small coverage areas, like millimeter wave.

--- Marco Arment

These issues underscore the need for realistic expectations about 5G's capabilities and its future role in connectivity.