5G is rapidly rolling out all over the world, with India being the latest region to auction the 5G spectrum. As 5G is becoming commonplace, we have compiled some crucial resources for you. You can now learn how to check the 5G bands supported on your phone. Apart from that, you can check out a list of all 5G bands supported in India. And in this article, we answer if you need a new SIM card for 5G services or will your 4G SIM work in a 5G phone? Well, to find all the answers, let’s dive right in.

Whether you need a new SIM card to use 5Gnetwork or not, we have answered this much-requested question in this article. We have also added information based on regions and mobile carriers, so expand the table below to learn about 5G SIM cards.

  • T-Mobile (US)Verizon (US)AT&T (US)EE (UK)O2 (UK)Three (UK)Vodafone (UK)

Do I Need to Switch My SIM Card to Use 5G Services?

The straightforward answer to this question is no. You don’t need to buy a new SIM card for 5G services. However, there are some tricky points that you need to keep in mind.

So if you have a SIM card that works well with 4G/ LTE networks, then it will also work with 5G whenever it goes live in your country. You should be able to connect a 5G network to use mobile data and make calls using your existing 4G SIM. That said, some mobile carriers are requesting users to change their SIM cards for enhanced 5G services. So what is that about?

Well, to access Standalone 5G (SA 5G) services, a few carriers want users to get a new 5G SIM for better coverage and speed. SA 5G is a top-tier service where all the network infrastructure is built on the 5G architecture. This network offers almost zero latency, unparalleled speed, and enhanced network coverage indoors.

5G services will work well on 4G SIM cards, but if you want to take advantage of T-Mobile’s SA 5G services, you need to get a 5G SIM from T-Mobile. The company is requesting 5G users to stop by its store to get an instant replacement without any fee.

You can use your 4G SIM to access Verizon’s 5G services, assuming you already have a 5G phone. You don’t need a new SIM card for 5G on the Verizon network.

You don’t need a new 5G SIM card to access 5G services on AT&T’s network in the US. However, you need to move to a 5G data plan.

EE (UK)

You don’t need a 5G SIM to access 5G services on EE’s network in the UK.

O2 is asking its customers to get a 5G SIM to access its 5G services. However, if you got a SIM card after 2019 from O2, you don’t need a 5G SIM. The newer SIMs are already compatible with the 5G network. If you have an older one, you need to get a 5G SIM card.

The 4G SIM cards from Three are already compatible with the telco’s 5G network in the UK. You don’t need a new 5G SIM.

You don’t need to switch to a 5G SIM to access faster 5G services on Vodafone’s network in the UK.

In India, none of the telecom companies have said that you will need to get a new 5G SIM to access 5G services. As we mentioned in our 5G development in India article, India is not implementing SA 5G and going for an indigenous solution called “5Gi”, which is essentially a Non-Standalone 5G infrastructure.

So yeah, you will not need a 5G SIM in India for either Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vi, or the new entrant, i.e. Adani Data Network. However, in the future, if one of the Indian telcos decides to roll out SA 5G services, you may have to ditch your 4G SIM and get a new 5G SIM.

Do I need a new SIM for 5G?

Will my 4G SIM work in a 5G phone?