Currently we have different wireless technologies, although not all of them are designed for us to connect directly to the Internet. This feature is supported by mobile networks and wireless WiFi networks. In mobile networks we have the new 5G standard, which includes what is known as 5G mmWave, but also the current majority networks such as 4G. In WiFi networks we have several technologies, with WiFi 6 as the fastest and most modern. To see which one usually offers more speed in a real environment , this study compares 5G mmWave vs 5G vs 4G vs public WiFi connections vs home WiFi connections.
Making it clear that fixed connections with ethernet cable are the best option when it comes to achieving maximum speed, this is not always possible. In certain cases, such as mobile phones or tablets, we must rely on wireless standards. Here we can connect to the mobile networks of an operator or to the WiFi network created by the router that we have at home (or that is offered publicly in squares, parks, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, etc.).
Actual data collected by OpenSignal
5G could mean the definitive death of public WiFi networks , something that will take a long time to come as we are in the early stages of the deployment of this technology. In addition, there will be differences in 5G depending on whether we use one frequency or another. For example, the so-called 5G mmWave is offered at very high frequencies with low range, but in return they connect us at very high speeds. In WiFi, there are many factors that influence, from the standard to the fact of connecting to a public network or the home / office network.
Between December of last year and January of this year, the OpenSignal firm has collected data in the United States on the speeds of users connected to this type of network. The results show us that 5G mmWave is the technology that offers the highest speed with an average speed of 640.5 Mbps. The “normal” 5G is offering 63.9 Mbps while the 4G remains at 31.4 Mbps .
In WiFi we have two measurements. The first has been carried out in public networks of cafes, shops, hotels, gas stations … and has obtained an average speed of 21.9 Mbps . Finally, in other WiFi networks, such as our home or office, the average speed goes up to 83.7 Mbps .
In the upload speed we have similar results. 5G mmWave offers 33.3 Mbps on average, normal 5G offers 14.1 Mbps on average, 4G offers 8 Mbps , public WiFi 11.2 Mbps and the rest of WiFi networks stay at 15.8 Mbps .