Updated August 2025
Need the short version of this article? Low-band “regular” 5G from AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, and Bell still gives the biggest coverage footprint (several miles per tower) but usually tops out below 150 Mbps. Their Ultra Wideband / 5G+ layers add mid-band C-band (3.45–3.8 GHz) and, in busy downtowns, mmWave (>24 GHz). That tighter spectrum delivers 5–10× the speed—often 300 Mbps to well over 1 Gbps—but only across a few city blocks or a large venue. Check the carrier-by-carrier snapshot below before you pick a plan or recommend one to customers.
Here are the differences between 5G and 5G Ultra Wideband
- Data transfer rates: 5G ultra wideband can achieve data transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps, while 5G can achieve data transfer rates of up to 2 Gbps. This means that 5G ultra wideband is capable of downloading a 1 GB file in just a few seconds, while 5G would take several times longer. For example, a 2-hour 4K movie would take about 10 seconds to download on 5G ultra wideband, but about 3 minutes to download on 5G. Source: https://dataconomy.com/2023/03/10/what-is-5g-ultra-wideband/
- Latency: Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. 5G ultra wideband has a latency of less than 30 milliseconds, while 5G has a latency of around 30 milliseconds. This means that 5G ultra wideband is much more responsive than 5G, making it ideal for applications that require real-time communication, such as online gaming and video conferencing. For example, a 5G ultra wideband connection would be ideal for playing online games with friends, as there would be very little lag.
- Coverage: 5G ultra wideband has a shorter range than 5G. This is because 5G ultra wideband uses higher frequencies, which are more susceptible to attenuation. 5G ultra wideband is typically available in urban areas, while 5G is available in more rural areas. For example, if you are in a rural area, you may not be able to get 5G ultra wideband, but you may be able to get 5G. Source: https://dataconomy.com/2023/03/10/what-is-5g-ultra-wideband
- Cost: 5G ultra wideband is more expensive than 5G. This is because 5G ultra wideband requires more expensive equipment to deploy. For example, 5G ultra wideband towers need to be closer together than 5G towers. Source: https://www.fiercewireless.com/5g/verizon-s-5g-ultra-wideband-pricing-scheme-a-hint-at-what-s-to-come
- Devices: Not all devices support 5G ultra wideband. Only devices that have a 5G modem that supports mmWave spectrum can connect to 5G ultra wideband. Most devices that support 5G only support sub-6 GHz spectrum, which is not as fast as mmWave spectrum. For example, if you have an iPhone 13, you can only connect to 5G ultra wideband if you have the mmWave version of the phone. One such router that supports ultra wideband is the W1850 from Cradlepoint. Source: https://cradlepoint.com/press-release/verizon-boosts-5g-fixed-wireless-access-strategy-with-new-cradlepoint-wideband-adapter/
In addition to the above, here are some other differences between 5G and 5G ultra wideband:
- MIMO: 5G ultra wideband supports more MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) antennas than 5G. This means that 5G ultra wideband can handle more simultaneous connections and can provide better performance in crowded areas.
- Beamforming: 5G ultra wideband supports beamforming, which is a technology that focuses the signal from the tower to the device. This can improve performance by reducing interference from other devices. Source: https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/articles/5g-beamforming-massive-mimo
- Security: 5G ultra wideband uses advanced security features. This makes it more resistant to hacking and eavesdropping. Source: https://bleesk.com/uwb.html
5G & 5G + / Ultra Wideband Performance by Carrier (US & Canada)
| Carrier / Tier | Spectrum band (GHz) | Typical DL speed* | Latency (RTT)** | Urban range | Best-fit use cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon – 5G Nationwide | 0.85 (low-band DSS) | 35 – 143 Mbps | 42 – 64 ms | Up to ~10 mi | Voice/IoT, rural data, backup links |
| Verizon – 5G Ultra Wideband | 3.7 – 4.0 + 28/39 | 85 – 250 Mbps (mid) / 300 – 1000 Mbps (mmWave) | 37 – 57 ms (mid-band) | ~1–2 mi (C-band); <1000 ft (mmWave) | FWA, stadium AR/VR, dense IoT |
| AT&T – 5G (low-band) | 0.85 | ≈ 59 Mbps avg | ~45 ms (est.) | Up to ~10 mi | Rural/mobile coverage, SD-WAN backup |
| AT&T – 5G+ (C-band / mmWave) | 3.45 – 3.8 + 39 | 160 Mbps (mid-band avg) / peaks ≈ 723 Mbps (mmWave) | 20 – 40 ms (est.) | ~1 mi (C-band); <800 ft (mmWave) | Smart-factory AGVs, live-video uplink |
| Rogers – 5G | 0.6 / 3.5 | Up to 250 Mbps plan cap | ~30 – 50 ms (est.) | City-wide / suburban | Video streaming, POS fleets |
| Rogers – 5G+ | 3.5 / 3.8 | Up to 1 Gbps | ~20 – 40 ms (est.) | ~1 mi | Campus Wi-Fi offload, HD mobile gaming |
| Bell – 5G / 5G+ | 3.5 (C-band) | 89 – 705 Mbps expected | ~20 – 40 ms (est.) | ~1 mi | AR field-service, 8K live broadcast |
*Speed ranges are 25th- to 75th-percentile values or published plan caps, not one-off peaks.
**Latency figures: carrier-reported where available; otherwise derived from industry averages.
Real-world performance varies with distance, line-of-sight, device antenna class, and network load.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs. If you need the fastest possible speeds and latency, then 5G ultra wideband is the better choice. However, if you need wider coverage or if you are on a budget, then 5G is a better option.
5G Ultra Wideband-Capable Routers Sold by Novotech
Important note: We have not included every 5 G-capable router on the market—most current models from our manufacturers already support standard Sub-6 GHz 5 G. The list below focuses on hardware that is formally certified (or specifically marketed) for Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband—that is, mid-band C-band (n77) and, where indicated, mmWave (n260/n261).
| Vendor | 5G UW-ready models | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Cradlepoint |
|
Indoor/outdoor portfolio; W4005 enables gigabit-class mmWave where line-of-sight is available. |
| InHand Networks |
|
Compact, DIN-rail-friendly designs for industrial SD-WAN and IoT edge computing. |
| Teltonika |
|
Rugged metal enclosures; strong CLI & RMS cloud management for remote sites. |
| Digi |
|
Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi 6, and Digi Remote Manager make these ideal for branch, retail, and fleet. |
| Peplink |
|
All models verified for Verizon C-band; SpeedFusion bonding adds multi-WAN resilience. |
Looking to test ultra wideband, need deployment advice or volume pricing? Contact our solutions team—we’ll match the right router to your application and walk you through certification, antennas, and data plans.