Who actually deserves 5G?

With 5G, mobile internet is expected to be much faster in the future. Theoretically, it is possible to reach ten gigabits per second (Gbit/s). However, the Swiss technology is not yet ready. Currently only 2 Gb/s is sufficient.

One reason for the low speed is the strict Swiss guidelines for radiation protection. This has already slowed down the country’s 3G and 4G networks. Therefore, 5G is not currently worthwhile for highly demanding applications that require high transmission rates.

However, according to Swisscom, nationwide 5G coverage is available almost everywhere in Switzerland. 5G+ is also already available in many regions.

A large group of people who deserve to switch to 5G are rural residents. There has been a shortage of fast internet here for years because extending landlines is often not worth it. It is now easier to set up modern 5G cell phone towers that can reach entire valleys or scattered mountain villages.

For these people, jumping to 2 Gbit/s is a big step forward compared to the Internet currently available. The Federal Communications Office’s Broadband Atlas provides information about the current situation.

If the 5G option is selected here, the situation can be seen at first glance: German-speaking Switzerland around Zurich and Bern, and French-speaking Switzerland around Geneva, are already well placed when it comes to 5G.

The much higher transfer rates with 5G are particularly suitable for mobile streaming and gaming.

Would you like to watch football broadcast on your smartphone with friends in the park? No problem anymore! Fill your waiting time at the bus stop by playing a game? But we are pleased that Swiss technology makes it possible.

The previous reliance on free public WiFi is no longer necessary. This often does not work properly, is very slow and also poses security risks. The more data is transferred via mobile, the more advantageous it will be to switch to 5G now.

To achieve this, Swiss technology must also grow, and more transportation poles are built in cities and villages.

For all the casual users who stream music or watch a short video on the go, 5G isn’t yet worth it in the private sector. The current 4G (LTE) standard is sufficient for most applications. Prices here are cheaper too.

However, it is worth preparing for the near future. If you’re planning to buy a new smartphone in the next few months, it should be at least 5G compatible. This will make the transition easier if 5G technology becomes widespread in the coming years.

Anyone adhering to the old standard for too long may be punished with network shutdowns. An experiment that users of the old second generation (2G) standard recently had to do: Sunrise was the last Swiss technology provider to turn off its mobile towers at the beginning of 2023.