5G vs. Full fibre: Which technology is right for your home?
When it comes to home internet, you’ve probably encountered the buzz around 5G and full fibre. Both promise faster speeds and better connectivity, but the real question is: which one is best for your needs?
With both technologies gaining traction, it’s worth looking at what each one offers in terms of speed, coverage, cost, and overall performance.
Understanding the technologies
Full fibre uses light signals transmitted through glass or plastic cables to provide high-speed internet. It's a wired technology that offers reliable, uninterrupted performance.
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks, providing internet through radio waves. It’s primarily designed for mobile phones but has increasingly become a contender for home broadband, with its ability to deliver ultra-fast speeds and lower latency.
While full fibre relies on physical infrastructure to deliver speeds directly to your home, 5G works through radio towers, creating a more flexible but sometimes less stable connection.
Speed and performance comparison
With speeds often reaching up to 1Gbps or more, full fibre can handle multiple devices streaming, gaming, and working from home simultaneously without slowing down.
This makes it suitable for households with heavy internet usage. The connection is consistent because it’s a direct line from your property to the fibre network, so you don’t have to worry about signal loss or congestion.
In ideal conditions, 5G can rival or even exceed the speeds of full fibre, particularly in urban areas with dense 5G coverage.
However, it can be more susceptible to environmental factors, like building materials or distance from the nearest tower. In rural or poorly covered areas, the speeds may not be as fast or reliable.
Availability and coverage
To see whether these technologies are available where you live, a quick search for “broadband in my area” can give you a good indication of what’s possible.
Full fibre is still being rolled out in many parts of the UK, particularly in rural areas where it might not have reached. Urban areas are usually well served by these networks, but the rollout can take time.
5G has expanded rapidly in cities and some suburban areas. If you live in an urban zone with robust coverage, it may be a tempting option, especially since it’s wireless and can be set up easily.
But outside major cities, the coverage can be patchy, and you might find that the speeds drop when you leave areas with stronger signals.
Cost and installation considerations
Both full fibre and 5G offer competitive pricing, but the price depends on your location and the service providers in your area.
Full fibre usually comes with higher installation costs because it requires new cables to be laid to your home. However, once the infrastructure is in place, ongoing costs are typically stable.
As 5G is wireless, it is often cheaper to install as it doesn’t require any physical cables to be run to your property. This makes it an attractive option if you’re renting or don’t want to commit to lengthy installation processes.
However, the long-term cost of 5G could be higher, especially if you live in an area where the coverage isn’t as strong, leading to less reliable service or a need for additional equipment to boost signal strength.
