5G delivers higher download speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than 4G. For most CCTV remote access installations, 4G is perfectly adequate. But there are scenarios where 5G makes a real difference - and with 5G coverage expanding rapidly across the UK, the cost gap between 4G and 5G hardware is narrowing.
Worth noting: 5G routers also connect over 4G. A 5G router is genuinely future-proof - it will work where 5G is available and fall back to 4G everywhere else. Check UK 5G coverage maps before specifying.
When Do You Need 5G for CCTV?
The honest answer: not often. A single Hikvision NVR with H.265 remote viewing uses 5-20 Mbps at most. 4G Cat 4 gives you 150 Mbps. You have headroom. You need 5G when:
- You're streaming multiple high-resolution simultaneous feeds (4K, 8MP cameras)
- You're running a large multi-site command centre accessing many NVRs
- The location has strong 5G coverage but marginal 4G signal
- You're future-proofing a long-term installation where 5G tariffs will reduce
- You need sub-10ms latency for real-time video analytics or PTZ camera control
Teltonika RUTX50 - 5G Router for CCTV
The RUTX50 is Teltonika's industrial-grade 5G router. CAT20 4G and 5G Sub-6GHz, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-band WiFi 6 (802.11ax). Five SMA antenna connectors. Built for demanding installations that need maximum throughput. Full RUTX firmware platform - same as the RUTX11 but with 5G hardware and WiFi 6.
Teltonika RUTM50 - Cost-Effective 5G
The RUTM50 is the lower-cost companion to the RUTX50, bringing 5G to a wider range of installations. Similar core feature set to the RUTX50 at a more accessible price point. A strong choice when 5G coverage is available and you want the throughput advantage without the premium of the RUTX50. When combined with a Millbeck M-Connect fixed IP SIM, the 5G CCTV total cost of ownership is becoming genuinely competitive.
5G vs 4G for CCTV - Side by Side
| Criteria | 4G (RUT901) | 5G (RUTX50) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Download | 30-150 Mbps | 100-1000 Mbps |
| Latency | 20-50 ms | 5-20 ms |
| UK Coverage | Excellent - near universal | Good - major urban areas |
| Hardware Cost | Lower | Higher |
| SIM Cost | Lower | Similar / slightly higher |
| Suitable for standard CCTV | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-4K stream support | Marginal | Yes |
| Future-proof | Good (5-7 years) | Excellent |
Outdoor 5G Antennas for CCTV
5G frequencies - particularly the mid-band spectrum used in the UK - do not penetrate walls as well as 4G 800MHz signals. If your 5G router is installed indoors in a steel cabinet or plant room, you may need an external directional antenna to get a reliable 5G signal. Blade antennas screwed directly to the router are fine for well-located indoor installs with good signal.
Routerstore.com stocks external 4G/5G antennas including panel antennas and omni-directional poles suitable for external mounting on poles, walls and CCTV towers.
View Antennas at Routerstore