Why Upgrading To 5G Phones And Devices Makes Sense For Small Business

Upgrading to 5G-capable devices can have a big impact on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Find out why upgrading to 5G now is the right choice.

Businesses have long heard about the promise of 5G: "5G will be faster than 4G. 5G will change the way business is done. 5G will be a game changer." You’ve heard it all before. But if you haven’t already upgraded to 5G devices, why should you worry about it now? Let’s look at why making the move to 5G phones and devices makes good business sense.

5G network service is available in all 50 states—and most top tier wireless providers don’t charge extra to access it. This takes one piece of the affordability pie out of the oven. And now there’s a growing portfolio of 5G devices with a ton of new features and eye-catching price points—making 5G an even more attractive option for anyone who is ready to take the plunge.

What makes the biggest difference is that 5G brings larger bandwidth which enables faster speeds and lower latency. In other words, where you once had a garden hose to carry data, you now have gigantic pipe that can carry more data at a much faster speed. But to access the greater capacity, improved speeds, and lower latency that 5G delivers you need a 5G-compatible device (smartphone, tablet, hotspot, or other hardware).

The benefits of upgrading to 5G now

The speed and latency gains already available with 5G will give your workforce more flexibility in terms of what they can do and where they can do it. For SMBs hoping to improve the mobile experience for their on-site employees, work-from-home staff, and field personnel, 5G can provide a noticeable improvement. Here are a few of the benefits to consider:

• Higher-quality conference calls: For instance, even though video conference calls have improved—and become a staple of the modern workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic began—trying to host or join one of these calls via 4G LTE smartphone can sometimes be frustrating. The increased bandwidth and speed with a 5G capable device will mean fewer dropped calls, with more devices being able to connect more quickly at the same time.
• Improved video viewing and large data file transfer: Transferring large data files or watching video via 4G LTE can be a challenge. Not so with 5G. In fact, most mobile interactions your employees experience will be improved simply by switching to 5G. It's just faster and more capable than 4G LTE.
• Increased productivity: According to a recent T-Mobile for Business survey, small business owners ranked 5G as the most important feature for their next phone purchases—ahead of screen quality and battery life.¹ This marks a turning point for next-gen technology. In fact, 89 percent of respondents cited getting 5G on their next phone as extremely or very important.These more capable 5G devices have the power to increase productivity by reducing downtime and improving the overall quality and volume of work. Your people are the lifeblood of your company and investing in technology that not only saves them time but can also help reduce their stress is always worth considering. And don't forget—the less time your team spends waiting, the more they can work, which means increased productivity.
• Price is no longer a barrier: Another good reason to make the switch is price. 5G service is free from providers like T-Mobile for Business. And the price of many 5G phones is now comparable to 4G LTE phones. This makes them a good investment that future proofs one of the most important tools in your technology toolkit. Even though the price of most feature-rich phones with the best cameras and most memory hover around the $1,000 mark, an entry level device from a big-name maker like Apple, Samsung, Google, or OnePlus may only set you back about $500 (or less in some cases) before trade-in allowances. And with all the fantastic offers in market today, your chances of finding a more affordable 5G phone are even better.

As you continue to explore upgrading to 5G devices, another key point to keep in mind is that not all 5G is created equal. 5G consists of a three-layer spectrum, also called bands. Each band provides a different layer of speed and bandwidth with varying benefits. Each of the carriers has a different range of spectrum they offer their customers. That’s why it’s important to know what the bands are so you can determine which carrier best fits your needs. To describe what each of these bands provide, it helps to think of them like a layer cake. The analogy works like this:

• Fast 5G (Low-band) Think of low-band spectrum as the bottom foundation layer of the cake. Low-band provides, on average, 100 percent faster download speeds than 4G LTE. These signals can travel very long distances, but the bandwidth they deliver is lower (a smaller pipe), which translates to relatively slower speeds. But it's available almost everywhere you can find 4G LTE connections. Low-band 5G can reach virtually everywhere across the country, even small towns, and rural areas.
• Faster (Mid-band) Mid-band is the middle layer of the cake that brings together the best of both worlds—otherwise known as the 5G “sweet spot.” It has a long range for great coverage with both high capacity and speed. Mid-band covers most of the needs of the population. When you are looking at carrier options for your new 5G phone, make sure the one you choose has the best mid-band coverage.
• Fastest (High-band) The top layer of the cake is the high-band or mmWave, which is super-fast and has enormous capacity. Contrary to what some providers say, mmWave 5G is not yet widely available. Instead, its rollout has been largely focused on sports venues and a few patches in urban areas. Because of its lightning-fast speeds and near-zero latency, mmWave garners the most attention and enthusiasm, but it's the low- and mid-band spectrum that make up the lion’s share of today's 5G coverage.

The Newest 5G phones deliver more

The latest 5G phones deliver better performance, more durability (e.g., Apple's latest iPhone 13 and 13 Pro with 5G can be submerged in up to 19 feet of water for half an hour) improved battery life, better screens, and fast charging capabilities—all features that make work and life better.

Given that 5G handsets are here now and the majority of new phones going forward will be 5G capable, a similar innovation curve will happen. And with mobile internet devices outnumbering people on the planet, integrated vendor ecosystems (app stores, streaming services, productivity tools, etc.) supporting these platforms, new products, and new services are likely to roll out at much faster pace than ever before.

And, finally, don’t forget the "Yay!" factor. Employees love perks. Who wouldn’t love a new 5G phone as a productivity enhancer or benefit?

So, if it doesn't cost you more, you get more capable equipment for the same price as 4G LTE, and it helps increase employee productivity (and enthusiasm), what are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to upgrade to 5G.

T-Mobile for Business has America’s largest and fastest 5G network, covering more than 90 percent of Americans in all 50 states. Come check out T-Mobile’s 5G coverage or call one of our 5G Business Experts at 855-621-3231 and let us help you move up to the 5G experience today.

Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. Fastest: ​Based on​ average, overall combined 5G speeds according to Opensignal Awards – USA: 5G User Experience Report July 2021​, from independent analysis of mobile measurements recorded during the period March 16 - June 13, 2021 © 2021 Opensignal Limited.​