Since wireless cellular technology was first invented (back in the 70s!) it’s been onwards and upwards, with each generation of tech giving us faster networks with more capabilities:
2G let us send SMS and MMS text messages.
3G brought us the mobile internet.
4G improved on 3G's mobile broadband speeds, making things like video streaming possible.
5G offers faster speeds and lower latency, with more devices able to use it simultaneously without slowing down the network (providing they're 5G compatible).
How much better is 5G than 4G?
Your home internet changed a whole lot when it went from ADSL to the nbn. That kind of leap could happen again as our mobile networks go from 4G to 5G.
Here are the kinds of improvements 5G offers over 4G:
more network capacity (more people can use it at once without slowing things down)
lower latency (which means less lag)
faster download and upload speeds
Using 5G with Belong
You need three things to get 5G access:
a device compatible with 5G
a plan with 5G (all our in-market plans offer 5G network access at different speed options)
to be in an area covered by our 5G network – check our coverage map
If you don’t know whether your device can use 5G, check with its manufacturer.
Download speeds for included and purchased data are capped at 150 Mbps on our in-market $45 and below mobile plans and our $35 and below data plans and at 250 Mbps on our $55 mobile plan and our $70 data plan.
These are the maximum potential download speeds and typical speeds may often be slower, but both speed options are great for most customers’ regular usage including streaming, browsing and social media.
If you go over your included data allowance, your speed will be capped at 1 Mbps but we won’t charge you extra.
Read more about the speeds available – including all the things that can affect them.
Where are 3G, 4G and 5G available?
Wondering which networks you can get in your area? Check out this handy coverage map .