Help & Support

5G

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 5G?

5G is a new radio access technology developed by 3GPP for the fifth generation mobile network. It will deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that will empower new user experiences and connect new industries such as health, autonomous vehicle, gaming, massive IOT and connected home. 5G will deliver multi-Gbps peak rates, ultra-low latency (the delay between the sending and receiving of information), massive capacity, and more uniform user experience.

What are the other generations of mobile networks?

The other mobile network generations are 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G.

  • - 1G delivered analog voice
  • - 2G introduced digital voice and text messaging with 160 characters
  • - 3G brought voice with enhanced mobile data speed of up to 42Mbps and multimedia support (MMS)
  • - 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile internet revolution with enhanced data speed of 150Mbps and enhanced voice (Voice over LTE – VoLTE). The mobile data speed in LTE has further been evolved to support a higher rate of 450Mbps and beyond.

What are the benefits of 5G?

  • - 5G will be significantly faster than 4G, allowing a theoretical download speed of 10,000 Mbps. This means faster download speeds with the ability to run more complex mobile apps.
  • - 5G’s lower latency means multiplayer online gaming response will become quicker.
  • - You will able to enjoy Ultra HD video streaming anytime on the move.
  • - Futuristic services like smart metering, autonomous cars, eHealth and other facilities which were unimaginable in previous technologies

What is the difference between 4G and 5G?

  • - 5G is faster than 4G - 5G speed is 10x faster than 4G and can reach up to 1Gbps.
  • - 5G has more capacity than 4G - 5G will support a 100x increase in traffic capacity and network efficiency.
  • - 5G has lower latency than 4G - 5G will deliver more instantaneous and real-time access: a 10x decrease in end-to-end latency down to 1ms.

Do I need to subscribe to 5G?

No, 5G service will be provided to you by default once you obtain a 5G capable device.

What is the subscription fee for the 5G service?

Everyone with a 5G device will be able to use the 5G network free-of-charge. You don’t need to opt-in to any service.

I have a 5G device that I bought from outside Etisalat. Will it be supported by 5G?

Yes. If the device is purchased from outside, it must support Etisalat’s current 5G frequency bands:

  1. - Band n78 (3.5 GHz)
  2. - Band n41 (2.6 GHz)

Etisalat will continue adding more 5G frequency bands which will be communicated through necessary channels.

Will 5G consume more data?

No, 5G won’t consume more data.

Will my current data plans work on it or will I need to subscribe to new data packages?

You won’t need to subscribe to new plans. You will be able to enjoy 5G on your existing data plans.

Is 5G coverage available across the country?

Currently, 5G coverage is available in selected zones across UAE. For more details about the locations, please visit www.etisalat.ae/5g.

Will I still be able to connect to data in locations where the 5G coverage isn’t available?

Yes, you will still be able to enjoy Etisalat’s 4G network in case 5G coverage isn’t available.

Is the 5G speed guaranteed?

5G speed can reach up to 1Gbps in areas with good coverage.

How do I use 5G on iPhone 12?

If you have a dual SIM (physical SIM and eSIM), you can start enjoying 5G services after the iOS release in March 2021. Please note that 5G will be turned ON by default. You can disable it if you like.

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© 2023 Etisalat. All Rights Reserved.