5G networks have now been in use for several years, promising faster speeds and lower latency than 4G LTE. A new study published in Computer Communications finds that while 5G coverage has expanded and performance has stabilized, the technology still falls short of delivering a consistent advantage over its predecessor.
The Study
Researchers from Northeastern University worked with universities and labs across Europe and North America to track uplink performance in real conditions. The team used two approaches that is a crowdsourced campaign covering eight major cities and a set of controlled tests in Boston that focused on millimeter-wave signals.
The crowdsourced data came from volunteers in Berlin, Turin, Oslo, Porto, Madrid, Boston, Vancouver, and the Bay Area. Over a year, they carried out weekly tests using a custom Android app that measured throughput, latency, handovers, and other technical details. In total, results from 12 operators were included, making this one of the most detailed datasets so far on 5G.
What They Found
The analysis showed that 5G performance has leveled out. There were no major changes up or down during the year, which suggests the networks have reached a steady stage. Stability, however, does not always mean maturity.
When compared with LTE, the picture is mixed. In one city, LTE throughput was higher than 5G. In the others, the gap varied widely, from about 2 Mbps to over 50 Mbps in median results. Latency also failed to show clear progress. In only three cities did 5G outperform LTE, while in another three LTE was quicker.
The researchers pointed out that these differences depend heavily on operator choices. Spectrum bands, network density, and use of edge computing all shaped performance. “Some networks offer excellent 5G uplink performance, while others show little or no improvement compared to LTE,” said lead author Imran Khan.
The Role of mmWave
The Boston campaign focused on mmWave, the high-frequency part of 5G that promises faster speeds. Here, results were stronger. Uplink throughput was significantly higher than LTE or midband 5G, and latency was lower. The figures stayed steady throughout the year, though seasonal changes were noted.
Still, mmWave is available in very limited areas, usually downtown zones in a few U.S. and Japanese cities. The study also showed that operators managed resource sharing fairly across users, which could help support data-heavy applications when mmWave is available.
What It Means
For everyday users, switching to 5G does not guarantee better service. Some networks deliver lower latency, but others provide results that look the same as LTE or even worse. Claudio Fiandrino from IMDEA Networks said that 5G looks mature in terms of coverage and stability, but not in terms of reliability or clear advantages over 4G.
The team also raised concerns about moving too quickly toward 6G. If the industry shifts focus without fixing gaps in 5G, resources could be misdirected and public expectations left unmet.
The Verdict
The research shows that 5G is widespread and stable in big cities, but it has not yet reached full maturity. The promise of consistently faster and more responsive connections remains uneven. For now, the technology can be described as deployed, but not fully superior.
Image: Dylan Carr / Unsplash. Note: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
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