Three's 5G network in Linz being tested: experiences, speed tests and more

The new 5G mobile communications standard is slowly beginning to establish itself in Austria as well. In cooperation with the mobile operator "Drei" could TechnikNews the 5G network in Linz as one of the first for a few weeksprobeer

5G will be the next big step in mobile communications. This one will bring us shorter latency times and even faster speeds. All this for the upcoming self-driving cars, for industry and its smart gadgets - the IoT (Internet of Things). While most customers don't include it in their tariffs profit, you can already use the new network with more expensive tariffs. At three the first start Austria 5G tariffs from 60 euros a month. It currently costs 59,90 euros with activation of 39,90 euros.

Transparency: This test report was created in cooperation with the Austrian mobile operator Drei, who provided us with a 5G-capable SIM card. However, this has no effect on our opinion or our test procedure. In addition, this article is not a paid advertisement.

Basics first: what is 5G?

Many refer to 5G (5th generation) as the “network of the future” - and not without reason: The new generation creates the basis for new steps in the Internet of Things. In order to enable these steps, one thing above all else is required: more speed and less delay (latency, "ping"). In the final stage of expansion, unlike 4G (LTE) and 3G (UMTS), latency times of less than one millisecond should be possible.

What speeds does 5G allow us?

In the future, it will be possible with 5G, as soon as all the required frequencies have been auctioned, to achieve speeds of up to 10 Gbit / s. For comparison: With LTE Advanced, around 500 Mbit / s are possible under perfect conditions - but usually only up to 300 Mbit / s is achieved. With 5G there should be a significant increase: up to 10 Gbit / s should be possible, but customers are currently achieving around 1 Gbit / s in initial tests in Austria. However, the 5G network is only just beginning: In order to achieve higher speeds, you will have to use other frequency spectra in the future. The last round of auction for these only recently took place in Austria.

The 5G expansion in Austria: Depending on auctions and regulations

Several network operators are involved in the 5G expansion in Austria. The largest mobile network operators in Austria are A1, Magenta Telekom (formerly T-Mobile) and Drei ("3"). But also smaller operators like LIWEST, MASS Response (“spusu”), Salzburg AG and Holding Graz are on board. They put a lot of money on the table at auctions in order to be able to use certain frequency ranges for their network in return.

The first 5G spectrum award in March 2019

According to the RTR Licenses for 5 million euros were auctioned at the first 2019G spectrum award in March 188.

A1 paid 64 million euros, Magenta 57 million euros and Drei 52 million euros. LIWEST, which wants to concentrate on the area around Linz, and MASS Response ("spusu"), which wants to expand 5G in Vienna, also bid and put 5,3 million euros and 1,8 million euros on the table . In addition, Salzburg AG with EUR 4,3 million and Holding Graz with EUR 2,9 million.

The second 5G auction in August 2020

The second and, for the time being, last 2020G auction for Austria took place in August 5. All 27 frequency packages (700 MHz / 6 blocks, 2100 MHz / 12 blocks and 1500 MHz / 9 blocks) were awarded. The three big mobile operators A1, Drei and Magenta have struck - that brought in a relatively cheap sum of 202 million euros. At the 4G auction, it was two billion euros.

How fast the 5G expansion will really go is still in the stars. In any case, when purchasing the 700 MHz blocks, the providers undertook to supply 1702 undersupplied cadastral communities with 5G. The expansion should be completed across the board by 2027, thinks the RTR.

Whether the 5G network expansion will progress quickly also depends to a large extent on the legal framework: the duration of the approval process for the construction or upgrading of locations, rights of way, rents and the possibilities of cooperation between the operators, confirms three press spokesman Tom Tesch on request.

The 5G availability in Linz

All three major mobile operators provide network coverage maps with which the status of 5G can be checked. What is striking is that Magenta concentrated on individual, smaller communities, however A1 and Three each have the capitals in their sights when expanding. If you trust the operator's models, Drei currently has the best 5G network in Linz. However, we could not check the lack of 5G test SIMs from A1 and Magenta.

The current expansion of Drei's 5G network in Austria

According to their own statements, Drei currently has 150 5G stations throughout Austria; according to the coverage requirement, there must be 300 by the end of the year. We are told that they want to have around 500 5G locations in the Drei network by the end of the year. Probably the best coverage and performance is currently achieved in Linz, and there are already a few 5G cells from Drei in Vienna. In Salzburg and Innsbruck, the Network coverage map also detect slight 5G spots.

Three's 5G network in Linz being tested: preparation

Our end devices

In collaboration with Drei had TechnikNews for a few weeks the possibility to turn off the 5G network in Linzprobeer We used the Huawei P40 as end devices Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G. Huawei works with its own Kirin 5G chip, and Samsung also uses its own Exynos 5G chip in Europe. What was noticeable in our test was that the S20+ got very warm when 5G was activated and accordingly gnawed at the battery - the P40 Pro lasted much longer here. In addition, the P40 reached Pro with a single test station usually 30 - 40 Mbit/s more in the download. That too OnePlus 8 Pro we wanted to take it with us, but is not (yet) compatible with the frequencies in this country.

When asked by Drei, 1 Gbit / s is currently available for a single customer, but higher data rates are possible in principle.

The test track

After picking up the 5G test SIM from the Drei-Shop, we set off straight away with both devices. From there, along the country road to Hessenpark, we repeatedly carried out speed tests with both devices and noted the results in the most interesting places. Then we continued on Gruberstrasse, then in the direction of Parkbad Linz, then at the Untere Donaulände, then to the Ars Electronica Center, to the Domplatz and back to the main square - there, too, we made 5G test stops.

In addition, we wanted to get a picture of something outside the city and take the public transport in the direction of Pasching to Plus City and also in the opposite direction, to Ebelsberg.

Three's 5G network in Linz tested: results

In order to determine the results, we recorded the location together with the speed tests of the two smartphones. Since a speed test can fluctuate a lot, we also switched the speed test server and took the average from all results, which should give a realistic picture of the speeds.

The 5G masts on Landstrasse in Linz. (Image: © 2020 TechnikNews)

5G apparently everywhere

On the way through Linz and out of town, 5G was permanently displayed on our smartphone, even if we were far outside the coverage area according to the network coverage map. The speeds were also much lower by then and we achieved 4G speeds of 100 to 200 Mbit / s, although 5G was displayed. We were amazed and asked three about:

The 5G display on the smartphone, although only 4G is available, is a well-known topic. This is due to the current non-standalone implementation of 5G. This is currently the case with every operator. It is a terminal topic. This will only change with 5G SA (standalone), which we are planning for next year.

Difficult topic - in the end, you can't currently rely on the display as to which network you are really logged into. This means that 5G was always available indoors in Linz, at least according to the ad. According to speed, however, it should have been 4G again.

The screenshot shows that the 5G symbol above is not filled in. So it was actually 4G. (Image: © 2020 TechnikNews)

The fastest 5G location in Linz

We also deliberately looked for the fastest 5G location in Linz, in case you want to max out the current maximum speed with your 5G tariff. This was on Landstrasse opposite the Drei Shop (Landstrasse 35, 4020 Linz) with an average speed of 615 Mbit / s for download and 50 Mbit / s for upload. If the tram goes through - well, then the speed drops significantly again. The speed was also not the same every day - this was probably also due to the utilization of the mast.

For the technology specialists among you - you can find a screenshot of the Service Mode here.

Three's 5G network in Linz tested: Conclusion

For the current state of the art, technology-interested customers are provided with a good outlook for the upcoming 5G network. Nevertheless, you are nowhere near where you are headed: the speeds are already pretty good, but unfortunately one Gbit / s, let alone 10 Gbit / s, is still a long way off. When uploading anyway - there were never more than 50 Mbit / s possible, but this is deliberately limited by three.

5G is also quite sensitive on the current frequencies - going behind a house wall or street lamp is enough and the speed will be less. Even worse with a passing tram - you can definitely expect a 100 Mbit / s loss when downloading.

The 5G frequencies are sensitive - it is not without reason that transmission masts are usually found on lanterns or house roofs. (Image: © 2020 TechnikNews)

However, compared to the other mobile operators, Drei offers a relatively tempting entry into 5G. While the 5G tariffs in August were still quite limited in terms of data volume and speed, they are now set to unlimited and 300 Mbit / s in the download and 100 Mbit / s in the upload. With three it starts for just under 60 euros, while with Magenta you get a little less speed for 60 euros. A1 cannot keep up with that anyway - here you are at a 5G entry price of 74,90 euros.

Our conclusion: Drei's 5G network in Austria is running well - better than we expected. At least in capitals like Linz, in more rural places it looks pretty meager at the moment. They also offer a rather tempting 60G tariff for 5 euros, which could still convince with a little more speed. You will not be able to achieve speeds of over 600 Mbit / s as we have achieved. You can stay curious about what's coming, but one thing is certain: in a few years' time, 5G will be the standard in every tariff.

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