Why 5G is Changing Antenna Requirements for Good

The rollout of 5G across the UK is not simply an upgrade in speed. For engineers, system integrators and procurement teams working with antenna infrastructure, it represents a fundamental shift in how connectivity is designed, specified and deployed. The frequency bands involved, the antenna form factors required and the performance expectations attached to them are all evolving — and fast.

Understanding why that matters, and what it means in practice, is the difference between specifying the right hardware for today's requirements and finding yourself underpowered before a project is even complete.

The Frequency Picture Has Changed

4G networks in the UK primarily operated in bands below 3 GHz — familiar territory for most antenna engineers. 5G introduces Sub-6 GHz deployments (notably n78 at 3.5 GHz, n79 at 4.5 GHz, and the 700 MHz n28 band used for rural coverage) alongside the emerging millimetre wave (mmWave) bands in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz ranges.

Ofcom's recent spectrum auctions, including its largest-ever release of 5.4 GHz of mmWave spectrum, signal clearly where the UK's mobile infrastructure is heading. For antenna specifiers, this means broader frequency range requirements — often within a single installation.

According to Ofcom, antennas used with mmWave award licences will be subject to specific pointing restrictions, adding a layer of compliance consideration that didn't previously apply at lower bands. This makes accurate antenna selection more important than ever.

MIMO is No Longer Optional

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology — using multiple antennas at both transmit and receive ends — is a core component of 5G performance. Where 4G LTE used 2x2 or 4x4 MIMO configurations, 5G can scale to massive MIMO arrays of 64 or even 256 antenna elements at base stations.

For IoT and M2M deployments in particular, this creates meaningful practical questions. Over 70% of IoT devices are estimated to rely on 5G networks by 2026, according to Fortune Business Insights — which means the pipeline of MIMO-capable antenna deployments is substantial and ongoing.

What This Means for Procurement

Gain vs. beamwidth trade-offs. Higher-gain antennas for point-to-point links work well for mmWave but require precise alignment. For mobile or vehicular use cases, omnidirectional or wide-beam solutions remain more practical, particularly in Sub-6 GHz deployments.

Multi-band capability. Where installations need to support 4G fallback alongside 5G, antenna solutions that cover multiple bands from a single unit reduce infrastructure complexity and cost.

IP and environmental ratings. Many 5G deployments are in industrial, transport and outdoor environments where ingress protection and temperature ranges matter as much as RF performance.

Connector and cable compatibility. Higher frequencies introduce greater cable losses. At 5G frequencies, a compromise on cable specification can significantly undermine antenna gain.

The Longer View

The UK 5G IoT market is projected to grow from $7.9 billion in 2025 to $29.6 billion by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate of 24.7%. For organisations specifying antenna systems today, building in headroom for 5G performance — not just compatibility — is the smarter long-term investment.

At Renair, we've been working with antenna systems across the full frequency spectrum for over 40 years. The shift to 5G is the most significant frequency landscape change we've seen in a generation, and we're here to help you navigate it. Explore our 4G and 5G antenna range at renair.co.uk/products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new antenna if my device supports 5G?

Not necessarily — it depends on the frequency bands your device uses and the deployment environment. Some 4G antennas cover bands used by 5G, but purpose-built 5G antennas will typically offer better gain, lower VSWR and MIMO support. It's worth reviewing your specification against the target frequency bands before assuming compatibility.

What is the difference between Sub-6 GHz 5G and mmWave 5G for antenna selection?

Sub-6 GHz 5G (like n78 at 3.5 GHz) can often use evolved forms of existing antenna designs. mmWave 5G (26 GHz, 40 GHz) requires specialist antenna hardware and is subject to additional regulatory considerations including antenna pointing restrictions under Ofcom's framework.

Can a single antenna cover both 4G and 5G bands?

Yes — multi-band antennas capable of covering 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3.5 GHz in a single unit are available and increasingly common for infrastructure that needs to support both generations of connectivity simultaneously.