You most likely already know that 5G is a broadly used abbreviation for a model of cellular community requirements. (Also, that it’s probably the most present customary in use.) That “G” slapped subsequent to the quantity means “generation.” It’s not a reference to the obtain or add speeds you get in your cellular phone.

You additionally might have already seen the ads about Comcast’s new 10G Xfinity community blanketing the airwaves and different platforms. And for the reason that Xfinity web site doesn’t really clarify what “10G” really means, you would possibly assume that the corporate’s residence web service is a sooner model of 5G. 

That’s seemingly what Comcast’s advertising staff desires. But don’t allow them to confuse you. “10G” is a reference to 10Gbps, or the utmost pace the Xfinity broadband community is able to. You’re studying that proper: It has nothing to do with mobile community terminology (like 5G) in any respect, and Comcast’s service is for residence web, not cellular. It’s deeply deceptive.

In reality, Xfinity’s 10G community is definitely slower than 5G. A 5G community is able to zippier speeds, as much as 20Gbps obtain and 10Gbps add. Xfinity caps out at 10Gbps down and up.

Comcast’s choices turn out to be much more difficult when you think about what’s at present accessible—most prospects can solely get about 1 Gbps down as the utmost pace, with an absurdly asymmetrical add pace of 35Mbps (sure, megabits). Faster uploads are slowly rolling out to totally different areas, however you solely get entry by opting into the corporate’s $30/month xFi Complete add-on, which incorporates limitless knowledge. Oof.

Long story quick, take Comcast’s boasts about its new community with an enormous grain of salt. Many individuals will most likely suppose a 10G community is healthier than a 5G community, however it’s simply not the case—at the least right here. Meanwhile, AT&T’s “gigillionaire” promoting marketing campaign could also be onerous to sit down by means of, however at the least the language isn’t difficult to grasp.