If you’ve seen cryptic new icons popping up in your cellphone subsequent to the 5G brand, you’re not alone. Carriers are increasing their 5G networks in a giant manner this 12 months, and people little “UW” and “UC” logos you’re all of a sudden seeing characterize the completely different styles of 5G you’re encountering within the wild. Like Pokémon, however far more complicated.

Isn’t 5G simply… 5G?

Nope. There are low, mid, and high-band styles of 5G spectrum. They all present completely different ranges of knowledge speeds, and all main US carriers use all three. Naturally, in addition they have completely different names for them. Depending in your service, you might even see abbreviations pop up subsequent to the 5G image in your cellphone if you’re linked to the corresponding community. Here’s a fast information to the completely different styles of 5G within the US and the abbreviations carriers have assigned to them.

5G spectrum fundamentals

Broadly talking, low-band 5G has widespread sign attain, however speeds aren’t a lot quicker than 4G LTE (if in any respect). High-band 5G could be very quick — obtain a film in seconds quick — however the sign is extraordinarily restricted. Then there’s mid-band 5G, which presents a sort of center floor between the 2: far-reaching sign and speeds which can be noticeably quicker than 4G, although not shockingly quick like high-band.

Screenshot by Nick Statt / The Verge

Verizon

5G UW: Verizon refers to each its high-band and mid-band 5G as Ultra Wideband. Until lately, UW referred solely to the high-band community, additionally known as mmWave. Verizon put plenty of vitality into constructing and selling this community, however even within the restricted areas the place it exists, the sign may be troublesome to search out. Starting in 2022, Verizon began lighting up new mid-band 5G spectrum in main cities and categorised it, too, as Ultra Wideband. Not complicated in any respect.

If you see the 5G UW icon in your cellphone, likelihood is you’re on the mid-band community. If you’re on mmWave, you’ll discover a giant distinction in knowledge speeds. But in case your knowledge simply appears noticeably quick, not ridiculously quick, then you definitely’re most likely on mid-band.

5G Nationwide: Verizon refers to its low-band 5G as 5G Nationwide. You’re linked to this community should you simply see a 5G brand in your cellphone with out “UW” subsequent to it. And in case your response to seeing that 5G icon pop up is one thing like “Huh, this doesn’t seem any faster than 4G,” you’re not imagining issues. It’s typically not a lot quicker than LTE. Certain Verizon plans, like its fundamental 5G Start limitless plan, solely embrace this low-band model of 5G.

AT&T

5G Plus: A “5G+” brand in your display screen means you’re linked to both AT&T’s high-band or mid-band spectrum. AT&T has put a lot much less effort behind constructing out a high-band community exterior of stadiums and airport terminals, so that you’re not more likely to encounter it simply out-and-about. As of early 2022, mid-band AT&T spectrum can also be type of scarce for the reason that service is taking a “kill two birds with one stone” approach to its mid-band growth. A 5G brand with out the “Plus” refers back to the service’s low-band 5G community, which, it’s value repeating, is just not a lot quicker than LTE.

5G E: Just a few years in the past, earlier than any type of significant 5G community existed within the US, AT&T received inventive and began branding a few of its 4G LTE as “5G Evolution.” It is just not 5G, and an advert evaluation board advised the corporate to knock it off. The brand nonetheless seems on telephones, however please ignore it; you’re on 4G.

T-Mobile

5G UC: T-Mobile’s “Ultra Capacity” community technically consists of high-band 5G, however the bulk of the community — and T-Mobile’s promoting — is centered on the mid-band spectrum included within the identify. While Verizon and AT&T are simply getting their mid-band networks up and working, T-Mobile received a head begin with the two.5GHz mid-band spectrum it picked up when it acquired Sprint. If you see that “5G UC” brand in your cellphone, you may wager that’s the spectrum you’re linked to.

Extended Range: A 5G brand with out “UC” signifies that you simply’re linked to low-band 5G, which T-Mobile calls “Extended Range.” Again, it’s not a lot quicker than LTE, however protection is extra widespread than mid-band or high-band 5G. If you’ve seen a 5G brand in your T-Mobile cellphone and been unimpressed by the info speeds, that may be why.