What Is 5.5G? Here Are 3 Reasons Its Better Than Regular 5G
Reliance Jio has launched its 5.5G network in India, offering download speeds of up to 10 Gbps. TheOnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13Rare the first smartphones to support this enhanced Jio 5.5G network. But what exactly is 5.5G? How is it better than regular 5G, and will it make a difference for you as an end user? Let’s find out.
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What is 5.5G?
5.5G is the next evolution of mobile internet, offering faster speeds and greater reliability than 5G. Officially known as5G Advancedor5GA, it is based on the 3GPP Release 18 standard, which introduces several enhancements to existing 5G networks. Essentially, 5.5G is a marketing term for this new set of standards.
One key feature of 5.5G is its integration of “non-terrestrial networks,” allowing the use of satellites to expand coverage and capacity, even in the most remote areas.
Think of 5.5G as an upgrade, similar to how 4G Advanced (LTE-A or LTE+) improved upon 4G. It offers better speed, greater capacity, and lower latency, along with increased reliability, even in crowded environments. In theory, it can reach upload speeds of up to 1Gbps and download speeds of up to 10 Gbps—significantly faster than the 1 Gbps download speeds currently offered by 5G.
Beyond speed, 5.5G acts as a bridge between 5G and 6G technology, much like the transition from LTE to LTE+ before 5G. At its launch event, Jio demonstrated its 5.5G capabilities by achieving download speeds exceeding 1,014 Mbps with advanced 3CC technology.
5.5G vs 5G: Why You Need the Upgrade
5.5G or 5G Advanced, offers several key advantages over current 5G networks:
Smartphones That Support 5.5G
As 5.5G is a new technology, only a few smartphones currently support 5.5G networks. In India, Reliance has recently launched its 5.5G network, and at present, only the newly released OnePlus 13 (review) and OnePlus 13R (review) support 5.5G. More 5.5G-compatible phones and network support are expected soon.
Other countries are also rolling out 5.5G networks and devices. Earlier this year, in March 2024, China launched its commercial 5.5G network. Pete Lau recently showcased the newly launched Oppo Find X7 and X7 Ultra, which are the first phones in China to support 5.5G.
How to Check If Your Phone is Connected to 5.5G
The transition from 5G to 5GA is completely automatic. If you have a compatible phone, it will automatically switch to 5GA whenever it is available. You don’t need to do anything manually.
When connected to a 5.5G network,your phone will display an indicator like ‘5GA’ on the status bar, similar to how it shows 5G, LTE, 4G, or 4G+. This indicator may vary slightly depending on your carrier and phone.
Alternatively, you can use a network info app likeLTE DiscoveryorNetmonitorto check your connection. These apps provide detailed information about the connected network, including the current network type and signal strength.
I tested my Jio 5G SIM on the OnePlus 13R, but it seems that my region, even though located in NCR, does not support 5.5G yet. I couldn’t see any 5GA indication, though the phone consistently used 5G SA (standalone) throughout the day.
Yes, 5.5G uses Component Carrier Aggregation (3CC) to combine multiple network cells for better connectivity and speed.
No. In fact, 5.5G is more efficient and can save battery life due to better optimization of resources.
With 5.5G, you will get faster downloads, low-latency gaming, real-time video calls, seamless streaming, and reliable connectivity, even in crowded areas. However, it may take some time before these benefits are widely available, as many regions in India still lack proper 5G coverage and speeds.
5.5G aims to evolve mobile internet by delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and broader coverage, even reaching remote areas via satellites. This will enable more immersive experiences (AR/VR), critical applications (remote surgery), and massive connectivity for the Internet of Things.
Ritik Singh
With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey started by sharing knowledge and helping others in online communities. That passion soon turned into a career in tech journalism, backed by a formal education in Electronic Media. He’s held editorial roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, and has contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides under his belt, Ritik has helped millions of readers get more out of their tech—from smartphones to smart homes.
