The letters, signs or numbers next to the mobile coverage icon give us clues about what the Internet signal is like. Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, you may have seen an H, an E or a 5G next to the data connection. If you don’t know what it means and want to become an expert, in this publication we shed light on the matter.
The H, E, R and a host of different coverage symbols serve as an indicator to the user of what type of network they are using. Normally, we notice when browsing the Internet that the signal is more or less weak because pages or photos on social networks take longer to load. However, we can move around until we find the indicated coverage and know it thanks to the indications next to the data icon.
Having 3G is not the same as having 4G+ and they are not even close to the speed offered by 5G or even 5G+. In general, we know these connectivities. But what happens when we see a G, an E, an H or an R? There are so many icons that can appear next to mobile coverage that it is normal for you to get confused. At ADSLZone, we are here to answer all your questions.
What is G?
This letter is equivalent to 2G and has practically disappeared from Spain. The G comes from GPRS, which stands for General Packet Radio Service and was invented in the 80s.
If you see the letter G next to the mobile data icon, you are in trouble. This coverage is the lowest you can have and will likely cost you to load virtually any content on the Internet. In Spain, the most normal thing is that this letter barely appears on your smartphone, because the operators have made great progress to provide better coverage to all locations. However, there are very remote areas where you might see the G at the top of the screen.
The G represents that the maximum speed at which you can browse is 128 Kbps. With these kilobits per second for data transfer it is not possible to do much. At most, your mobile will allow you to send SMS and MMS and, perhaps, a short message via WhatsApp.
What is E?
The E stands for EDGE, which is the acronym for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. It is a coverage that serves as a bridge between 2G and 3G networks. Therefore, if you get the E on your smartphone, it means that you have 2.5G coverage.
In this case, the maximum speed is greater than what you would have if the letter G appeared, but not much more. With the E, you can reach up to 384 Kbps. This means that you will barely be able to enjoy the apps or browse the Internet fluidly. But it will be enough to send a WhatsApp without problems and, of course, send SMS and MMS.
What is 3G?
3G connectivity has been turning off in Spain for a few years. Although there are still operators that provide that mobile coverage, it is a matter of time before it disappears. While telecommunications companies work to stop it from existing in our territory, there are areas in which the mobile phone will indicate that the data you use is in 3G.
If the phone displays 3G when you use data, you will have up to 2 Mbps speed for data transfer. This is enough to consult social networks and even send images via WhatsApp. Of course, the smartphone will cost a little more than usual.
What is H or H+?
The H stands for HSDPA, which stands for High Speed Downlink Packet Access. Although they also call it 3.5G or 3G+. It does not have the download speed of 4G, but it surpasses the third generation with up to 14 Mbps.
If you see the plus symbol (+) next to the H, that is, an H+, it means that the network you are using is HSDPA+. This was prior to 4G and reaches up to 21 Mbps speed for data transmission. Depending on the mobile model, there may be confusion and an H may appear when an H+ should appear, or vice versa.
Regardless of whether you get an H or an H+, the truth is that browsing with mobile data should not cause you any problems. Although it is slower than usual, almost all Internet content will load. Perhaps what causes the most interference is streaming videos or music.
What is 4G or 4G+?
Not all users have a 5G-compatible mobile phone, so the majority continue to connect to the Internet through data with 4G or 4G+. This is the coverage that has the most presence in Spain, since the operators have not yet managed to deploy 5G to all locations.
If the 4G icon appears on your smartphone, it will mean that the maximum speed you can reach is 150 Mbps. If it is accompanied by the plus symbol, you are in luck because it means that the data transfer can reach 300Mbps.
What is 5G or 5G+?
The fifth generation is currently the ultimate goal of mobile phone providers. The deployment of 5G and even 5G+ is reaching more and more municipalities. And, although in some territories coverage is only provided by certain operators, they are all fighting to be present in all inhabited corners of Spain.
If 5G appears next to the data logo, you will be able to browse at a speed of 1 Gbps. But if you have 5G+, you will reach 1,600 Mbps. Initially, it was said that 5G would have speeds of up to 10 Gbps, but, at the moment, it is impossible for that promise to be fulfilled. Over time, better numbers are expected.
What is R?
In this case, the R does not refer to any type of data transmission speed with mobile gigabytes. In fact, the R stands for roaming. When you get the aforementioned letter, you may not be in Spain and have traveled abroad. It may also be that you have not crossed the country’s borders, but you are close to them and your smartphone detects that you are no longer inside.
If you get the letter R you should be careful. Some operators may charge you for using data to connect to the Internet in certain countries. Furthermore, even if you receive certain gigabytes for free, they are not always the same as those reflected in your rate. Even if you have signed up for a plan with unlimited data, there are often restrictions when you are abroad.
