5G DSS: A Desperately Slow System

Activating DSS in Verizon Network

It is true that Verizon has America’s fastest mobile network based on 2 systems: a 4G LTE network that is getting faster yearly, and a fast, high-capacity millimeter-wave called also “ultra wideband” (UWB) 5G . Verizon’s 4G LTE is frequently faster than T-Mobile’s as well as AT&T’s low-band 5G. Yet Verizon’s UWB 5G network has incredibly restricted limited coverage, potentially offering Verizon phones a 4G symbol in cities where its competitors have 5G.

In October 2020, Verizon introduced “across the country 5G” based on dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), which reuses parts of 4G channels for 5G. Phones will automatically choose a 5G network over a 4G one, so Verizon clients will see that desired 5G symbol appear.  From the last tests done , using an iPhone 12 Pro in New York City and Pixel 5 in Chicago, it shows that DSS 5G is frequently slower than 4G and people are getting frustrated and start calling it Desperately Slow System.

DSS: A Desperately Slow System

The gold standard of 5G is to use broad, dedicated networks for 5G traffic. That’s what Verizon’s UWB and also T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G do, setting bigger channels than 4G for only a 5G use.
Verizon’s fast Mmwave 5G system has actually been expanding monthly– it’s now readily available in greater than 60 cities– yet because it utilizes very high frequencies, it has very short range and does not cover much area in each city.
The problem is that if you don’t have any type of dedicated channels, DSS is affecting the unused  4G channels for 5G making both 4G and 5G phones compete for the exact same 4G channel.  There are non-speed benefits to DSS you’re just getting slower performance.

For now, the question asked by customers is do we have to turn off 5G unless we have UWB in Verizon network ?