5G vs 4G: Learn The Key Differences Between Them

5G vs 4G – There is a lot of debate surrounding which technology is better. However, the bottom line is that they both have their benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a look at some of the key differences: – 5G offers faster data speeds, which makes it great for connecting multiple devices together. – 4G still has a limited range, so using it in crowded areas can be problematic. – 5G uses millimeter waves, which are less harmful than traditional cell phone frequencies.

What is 5G?

5G is the abbreviation of fifth-generation technology. It is an advanced version of cellular network or technology that will likely have more users in the mid-2020s. The loopholes in the 4G network will be plugged in by 5G. It is an integrated network system that connects people, objects and machines. User experience will be enriched by the use of 5G services as it will provide high data speeds, efficient connectivity, massive network capacity and a lot more.

What is 4G?

4G is the current cellular technology or network that our generation is using. 4G is an abbreviation of the fourth generation and is a predecessor to 5G and successor to 3G. Since its advent in 2010, it has widely been adopted by mass numbers. 4G brought in a list of advantages like increased cell density, Voice over Internet Protocol, and larger bandwidth. 4G supports the three basic traffic types voice traffic, video traffic and data traffic that previous cellular networks struggled to deliver.

Key Differences Between 5G and 4G

Download speed

The first 4G and 5G difference is that while 5G will provide a maximum of 20Gbps data rates, 4G provides 1 Gbps data rates. Nowadays, certain companies have their devices designed to achieve 10 Gbps data rates. However, the goal is to reach the sky, i.e., to attain the highest possible Gigabits per second. With an upgrade to 5G, we will get to witness that.

Latency

Latency is the delay before data transmission takes place in a network. 5G provides lower latency where the response time is quicker. In the battle between 5G vs 4G, 5G wins as you can have a latency of fewer than 5 milliseconds. In the 4G network, the latency is higher and the response time ranges between 60 milliseconds to 98 milliseconds.

Base Stations

Base stations are transceivers sending and receiving signals that enable internet connectivity to devices. All the cellular networks before 5G have cell towers as their base stations. These cell towers deliver connectivity over large areas and remain widely dispersed. That is the reason why 4G use will be more viable in villages than 5G.

5G requires small cell technology that has lower frequency bands also known as millimetre Wave (MM Wave) frequency bands. These frequency bands deliver more bandwidth and higher speeds over short distances as they have weaker signals. As a result, the installation of small cell technology should be dispersed but needs to be concentrated in an area.

Bandwidth

The bandwidth of 5G will be significantly higher than the bandwidth of 4G. 4G utilizes only a small spectrum out of the total available band of 600MHz-2.5GHz. 5G has three different bands of spectrum, low-band 5G (600-850 MHz), mid-band 5G (2.5-3.7GHz) and high-band 5G (25-39GHz). The low-band 5G is a little over a 4G service but the mid-band 5G and high-band 5G is far better that deliver internet speeds of 100-900Mbps and 25-39GHz respectively.

Network Coverage

When it was about a new cellular network, the coverage was initially spread over a small area. Take an example of 4G and you can find its facilities available to a handful. It took considerable time and effort to install cell towers enabling a 4G network in towns and villages. Even today, 4G network coverage is sometimes poor in remote areas. Regarding the 5G network, the process is going to be even slower. 5G services have been available to a few countries and India is not on the list. The country is yet to finalise the spectrum auction which got delayed due to the pandemic.

Cell Density

Cell density means the number of devices or users that connectivity can support over a particular area. 4G services fall short of all the expectations we dreamed of regarding cell density. With 5G services, things will be better as networks will be denser where 10 lakh devices can be supported within an area of 1 sq km. If we consider a metre, the number of devices that can work effectively with 5G would be 1000. This will enhance network capacity as well as cell phone capacities.

How has 4G changed the world?

• The inception of 4G took place in the early 2010s. Smartphones got revolutionized to match the power of 4G services. Applications came into the scenario. The earliest and best example of a 4G app launched on the Apple Store was FaceTime. Gradually, more applications kept pouring in through different application stores like Google Play store, AppBrain, Amazon Appstore etc. Some well-known examples of applications that were brought into the limelight and are continuing to remain so are Facebook, Uber, Just Eat etc.  
• When we deal with the question of how 4G has changed the world, we must elaborate keeping 3G as a context and a comparison of both. The transition from using social media on laptops to opting for cell phones became possible with the 4G connectivity. The 4G world brought people closer by enabling video calls with stable network connectivity that was relatively weaker with a 3G system. Relationships were improved and strengthened, thanks to virtual communication in the form of 4G.  
• The pandemic situation in the country kept people indoors. School and office-goers connected online. During these times, people became increasingly dependent on 4G to have uninterrupted services. With 3G connectivity, the amount of interaction couldn’t have been achieved.  
• With the advent of 4G cellular technology, e-commerce rose through the ranks to new heights and made online trade a possibility. Now, people need not go outside to buy groceries, and new clothes and can equally satisfy their cravings through food home deliveries. With 3G, things would have moved at a slower pace. In a nutshell, 4G revolutionized the way we think, live and behave.

How will 5G affect the future? 

• It is quite apparent that the way 4G revolutionized the world, 5G will be doing the same. With everything becoming faster and more efficient, the world will function at a whole new level. With 5G, you can deliver a huge amount of data at a quicker pace because of the super-efficient and super-responsive technologies and tools.  
• 5G will be 10x faster and we can count on all the benefits that arrive with speedy internet services. The reason behind the speed is the radio frequencies that operate on 5G technology. These frequencies are more directional minimising interference with other wireless signals.  
• Although 5G is yet to be implemented, over 60+ countries are already using 5G services. It is present in two US cities, in the testbeds in Britain with China and Japan gradually introducing this innovation in cellular technology. The residents find the lower latency and higher speed quite remarkable. Some companies which sell 5G systems are Altiostar, Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung etc.  
• 5G will leave its impact across various industries like healthcare, primary, secondary, tertiary sectors, transportation, digitised logistics etc. As per studies, there will be overall efficiency in every field along with job opportunities that will contribute to the rapid growth and development of the economy.  
• 5G cellular technology will provide us with an immersive experience through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) at faster, uniform data rates and reduced prices. Moreover, the quality of video calls will be significantly higher than the current 4G allows.

Why 5G will take over the world?

• 5G is the next big thing in telecommunications. It is a type of wireless technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work.
• 5G is different than 4G and 3G because it uses much higher frequencies. This means that 5G can provide faster speeds and more reliable connections.
• 5G will be especially important for mobile applications and devices. It will be used to connect devices such as smartphones, laptops, cars, and drones.
• 5G could also be used to improve the performance of online services and businesses. It could help to reduce lag time and increase the speed of online transactions.
• 5G is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to change the way we live and work forever.

Final Thought

With the rapid upgrades taking place in cellular technology every 10 years, we will probably have to stretch our imagination to think of the boom that technology will go through after a few decades. One cannot predict the future but can only presume it. Our next generation might be living in a completely different world where cellular technology will bridge many gaps and make more significant progress, enabling people to live a life full of ease, happiness and prosperity.