Why can't old mobile phones access 5G networks?

5G is the latest mobile network technology, not just an upgrade from 4G, but a big step forward, opening the era of intelligent connectivity, changing the way people work, entertain and interact with the digital world. It is designed to provide faster connection speeds, lower latency and the ability to connect more devices than previous mobile generations.

In fact, older mobile devices do not come equipped with key components such as dedicated antennas, advanced radio hardware, or compatible software to support this new generation of network technology.

So no matter how modern your SIM card is, your old phone still can't take advantage of the power of 5G. However, many smartphones released since 2019 are fully equipped with the technology needed to connect and take advantage of the superior speeds of 5G networks.

Mobile phones need specialized hardware to access 5G networks

5G technology is more than just a software update that can be downloaded and installed like regular apps. It is called the next generation of mobile networks because 5G requires specialized hardware to operate.

Think of 5G technology as a whole new language that your devices not only need to understand, but also be able to communicate fluently in.

While 5G may use some of the same frequency bands as 4G, the key difference is that it extends to higher frequencies, including millimeter waves (mmWave). These are ultra-high-frequency signals that allow for the transmission of huge amounts of data at incredible speeds.

However, to take advantage of these bands, devices need to be equipped with special antennas and modems that can process the signals. Older phones simply don't have these components, making them unable to connect to or take advantage of 5G networks.

Not just limited to hardware, 5G also uses a completely new communication protocol, called 5G New Radio (5G NR). This is an advanced signaling system that is incompatible with older 4G phone modems.

Unlike software that can be updated to add new features, the cellular modem is a fixed piece of hardware that is built into the device from the moment it is manufactured. If your phone isn’t designed with a 5G-capable modem from the start, no matter how many software updates you get, it won’t be able to connect to the next-generation cellular network.

And other physical limitations of older cell phones

5G isn't just a software upgrade, it requires significant changes at the hardware level. You'll need to replace antennas to accommodate the new bands, upgrade radios to catch 5G signals, and even processors to handle the increased data volumes that the new technology brings.

Cellular modems are designed to work with a specific type of network, such as 3G, 4G, or 5G. Each generation of network uses a different architecture, with its own data transmission protocols, frequencies, and encryption methods. Therefore, a modem made for 4G will not automatically support 5G without specialized hardware.

Additionally, modems in phones are often locked to certain bands depending on the region or carrier, which further limits the ability to upgrade from an old network to a new one using software alone.

Is there a simpler way, like plugging in an external 5G device and using it as an alternative? This sounds appealing in theory, but in practice we have yet to see a product that can do this seamlessly, at least for mobile phones.

However, new 5G-enabled smartphones have become increasingly popular and affordable in recent years, so if you want to enjoy the speed and stability of 5G, it may be a much simpler and more sensible solution to invest in a new phone.

Do mobile users need to upgrade to 5G-enabled mobile phones?

The transition from 4G to 5G mobile networks is not simply about increasing connection speeds, but a complete overhaul of how phones communicate with mobile networks.

If 4G helps us stream videos and surf the web faster, 5G opens a new era with super low latency and the ability to transmit data in near real time.

The most prominent feature of 5G is its extremely low latency, which can be reduced to just 1-4 milliseconds (ms) compared to 30-50ms of 4G. This means that when you perform an operation on your device, the data is sent and responded to almost immediately. This level of response not only improves the user experience but also opens up breakthrough applications, especially in areas such as self-driving cars, remote surgery, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), etc.

How is 5G network deployed in our country?

Our country has officially entered the 5G era with significant progress in deploying and commercializing this technology. Accordingly, on October 15, 2024, Viettel became the first network operator to announce the commercialization of 5G services, covering the central areas of 63 provinces and cities.

According to data from Viettel Telecom Corporation, after 15 days of official launch, Viettel's 5G network has attracted 3 million users.

By December 20, 2024, Vinaphone network will also officially provide 5G service, covering 63 provinces and cities nationwide, focusing on coverage and service provision in key socio-economic areas such as District/County Administrative Centers, industrial parks, seaports, airports, schools, hospitals, and tourist areas.

While 5G is still in its infancy globally, researchers have already begun laying the groundwork for 6G, the next generation of mobile networks. We can expect speeds dozens of times faster, near-zero latency, and applications that are currently only seen in science fiction movies.

Technology is always evolving, and who knows, maybe in just a decade, 5G will be a thing of the past, giving way to a faster, stronger, and smarter connected future.