4ka Added 5G Coverage Area to Its Website, But There Is a Problem

Slovakya-based mobile operator 4ka has finally started offering its 5G network coverage map to users via its official website after a long wait. This development is considered an important step taken by the company in its transition to next-generation mobile communication technologies. However, this newly implemented network infrastructure brings with it a notable technical limitation. For users to experience fast internet, this detail needs to be well understood. The situation in question directly affects the signal's range and indoor accessibility.

The most critical point in the company's 5G network installation relates to the characteristics of the preferred frequency band. The operator chose to build the next-generation connection particularly on the 3,5 GHz capacity band. This band offers a highly suitable capacity for increasing data transfer speeds and serving more devices simultaneously. However, due to the physical nature of high frequencies, this creates a disadvantage directly proportional to the distance the signal can reach. In other words, while high capacity and speed are achieved, the overall range of the signal is somewhat narrowed.

Due to existing physical rules, higher frequency waves have a lower ability to penetrate walls and other obstacles. In this 5G infrastructure utilizing the 3,5 GHz band, the signal's power to penetrate inside homes and workplaces is seriously limited. Even if users catch an extremely fast connection outdoors, they may experience noticeable drops in signal strength when entering enclosed spaces. This situation creates a practical difficulty for subscribers expecting a seamless mobile internet experience. Especially in structures with thick walls, this signal loss becomes much more apparent.

4ka's publication of the coverage map on its website allows consumers to closely follow the network's expansion process. Thanks to this transparency, users can easily check whether their region has 5G support. Still, a specific region being covered by 5G on the map does not mean that a seamless connection is guaranteed indoors. Subscribers need to shape their expectations by taking this situation into account. Because there will be distinct differences between outdoor performance and indoor coverage quality.

As a result, 4ka's 5G step has the potential to increase competition in the local telecommunications market. Although this capacity-focused strategy promises high speeds in outdoor areas within dense urban regions, the handicap regarding indoor access stands out as a temporary friction point. In the upcoming period, the operator may need to install new base stations or pivot to different frequency strategies to overcome access issues. For users to fully benefit, the physical limitations of the network must be overcome, and the infrastructure must be further strengthened. With the widespread adoption of the technology, these coverage area and signal quality issues are expected to be resolved.