5G Vs 4G: What Is The Difference?
The fifth-generation mobile telecommunications technology, termed 5G, is predicted to be a game-changer in mobile networking in India, offering tenfold higher download rates and real-time data exchange. But, apart from higher speeds and lower lag, how much do we understand about 5G technology and how will it vary from 4G? In this article, we’ll talk about the difference between 4G and 5G and how 5G can revolutionize multiple industries in the country.
Did You Know 5G, according to experts, offers more than just a speed boost. It’s been dubbed the “foundational technology” that will accelerate the adoption of technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.
| What are the advantages of 5g Over 4g? | |
|---|---|
| Speed | 5G is up to 10 times faster than 4G. |
| Latency | 5G Data transfer is slashed to 1 milisecond vs 50 miliseconds for 4G. |
| Coverage | Currently there are less 5G coverage areas than 4G. This shold change over time. |
| Bandwidth | 5G operates on 3 bandwidths, meaning it works better tha 4G at low, medium & high signal strengths. |
| Security | 5G is more secure than 4G thanks to a process called data slicing. |
What Is 5G?
This technology has taken more than a decade to create, and it is on pace to replace the old 4G LTE technology due to higher upload rates and dramatically decreased latency. Due to its ability to penetrate hard floors while yet covering a large area, the low-band spectrum is already the principal band on which many prominent carriers rely. Its limitation is that it can only transmit data at a speed of 100 Mbps.
When it comes to 5G speed vs 4G, currently, 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology can only use a lower frequency range of up to 6GHz, but 5G would be capable of handling radio bands ranging from 30GHz to 300GHz1.
How Does 5G Work?
5G accomplishes its unrivaled latency by utilizing three spectrum bands. These three bands combine to provide a pliable, adaptable connection that changes depending on how and where the user connects.
Several nations have opted to put their minimal tier of 5G capability at the mid-band spectrum rather than this band. This mid-band spectrum has much less surface absorption, lower latency, and greater peak speeds than the low-band spectrum.
Ultimately, we reach the high-spectrum band, which is centered on structures that provide extremely rapid, short-distance connectivity. These smaller structures are used in heavily crowded and congested places, such as football stadiums and conference centres. Recent advancements have improved the maximum range of 5G antennas, but this does not imply they are without flaws.
High-band transmissions, unlike low- and mid-band signals, are hampered by physical obstacles. High-band antennas’ range can be reduced to a fraction of its original strength by walls, buildings, and some other structures, and even certain kinds of glass and many other materials can completely block their signals.
how much faster is 5G Vs 4G?According to Vodafone, 5G offers device speeds up to ten times faster than 4G, implying that high-quality, ultra-high-resolution 4K video calls – the standard used for commercial digital cinema – and downloads to smartphones and tablets would be delivered even faster. Data transfer times of less than 20 milliseconds will be the norm.
The Prime Differences Between 4G Vs 5G Networks
Here’s a rundown of the key distinctions between the two network technologies. However, let’s look at this comparison table first:
| Specification | 4G | 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Fourth Generation | Fifth Generation |
| Peak Data Rate | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Data Bandwidth | 2Mbps to 1Gbps | 1Gbps and higher as per need |
| Latency | 10 ms (radio) | <1 ms (radio) |
| Mobility | 350 Kmph | 500 Kmph |
Moreover, there are several key factors that distinguish 5G from 4G, including:
1. 5G Latency
Latency is the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to transit between two locations. It may be viewed as the lag that slows down any data transfer, regardless of how fast the connection was formerly. 4G network latency is now at 50 milliseconds, whereas 5G network latency is predicted to be as low as 1 ms.
Reduced latency will be essential for several applications where 5G will enable connected devices to depend on the cloud for data acquisition, such as self-driving cars, which may utilize 5G to enable a cloud-based AI to make real-time navigating choices.
2. 5G Coverage
Even after a century of 4G, there are still isolated and rural regions with inadequate 4G coverage throughout the world. As 5G is still in its early stages, its coverage is practically non-existent outside of some large cities.
It will take many years for 5G to attain a level of coverage comparable to 4G, and it’ll have multiple implementations (high-, medium-, and low-band 5G), each with its own speed and frequency.
3. 5G Bandwidth
5G is also projected to offer substantially greater bandwidth, or capacity, than 4G. This is due, in part, to 5G’s considerably more effective utilization of the available spectrum. 4G employs a limited slice of the available spectrum ranging from 600 MHz to 2.5 GHz, whereas 5G is split into three distinct bands.
Every band does have its own bandwidth range and speed, as well as its own set of applications and also use cases for customers, companies, and enterprises. That implies 5G has far more capacity.
4. 5G Speed
According to researchers, 5G would be up to ten times faster than traditional generations. This substantially increased speed opens up a plethora of interesting options for both industry and consumers. Increased connection, for example, enables ultra-high-resolution 4K video conversations. To put this in context, 4K resolution is the industry norm for commercially digital movies. 4G can now achieve peak speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while real-world performance is often limited to 35 Mbps.
With a hypothetical peak speed of about 20 Gbps and existing real-world rates ranging from 50 Mbps to 3 Gbps, 5G Services have the potential to be 100 times quicker than 4G, according to 5G vs 4G speed tests.
But the situation is a little more convoluted than that. There are three primary types of 5G, each with its unique speed. Low-band 5G is slightly quicker than 4G, with 50 to 250 Mbps speeds. The fastest form of 5G, known as high-band 5G, can reach 3 Gbps.
5. 5G Security
Network slicing is the dividing of the network to adjust speed, bandwidth, range, encrypting, and protection. Slicing provides suppliers and those with a dedicated network through which they would completely control and reinforce their IoT solutions for reliable communications, assured service quality, as well as Cloud or Edge-based computation.
This can give an extra layer of protection not provided by WiFi, which would be shared with others on the band and thus more readily tampered with, and less easily done with 4G.
How 5G Can Help The Evolution of Various Industries
Reduced latency will be the primary differentiator between 4G and 5G networks.
This by itself will persuade many of the world’s major companies to embrace the network as soon as feasible. Many industry experts believe that 5G will ultimately fuel smart cities as well as other large-scale initiatives, so let’s have a look at how this new technology may influence various industries all around the world including:
- Transportation
- Gaming
- Farming
Did You KnowAccording to the Ericsson Mobility Report, by 2024, there will be more than 400 million 5G subscriptions worldwide.
5G & Transportation
There is significant pressure to alter the transportation system to accommodate trends such as growing transportation demand, density, and modernization, while simultaneously addressing the issue of drastically lowering emissions and environmental effects.
By linking cars and roadside facilities, and digitalizing the whole transportation system, 5G plays a critical role in the transition. Vehicles will know the condition of traffic thanks to real-time information exchange through 5G networks, allowing flows to be optimized and congestions to be reduced. This decreases both travel time and pollution, and the immediate exchange of data allows cars to physically see around curves, enhancing everyone’s safety.
This is made feasible by 5G’s capability for high device density, millisecond reaction time, and the creation of specialized network slices for traffic infrastructure.
5G & Gaming
With overall revenue of over $180 billion in 2020, the gaming business is by far the largest entertainment industry. The gaming industry is the fastest-growing sector, accounting for over half of total revenue. Consumers value on-the-go gaming, and 5G promises to expand this even further.
Bandwidth, speed, and millisecond ping allow you to play sophisticated games no matter where you are. 5G provides the bandwidth required for broadcasting huge multiplayer games, incorporating realistic virtual reality experiences.
As the network manages the computation, future gadgets can be lighter while yet having a long battery life. This also reduces the requirement for devices to be upgraded as new games are launched, making enhanced mobile gaming more approachable.
5G & Farming
With an increasing population to feed, water scarcity in many areas of the world, with the need to enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner while using lesser fertilizers and reducing environmental effects – the agriculture industry faces several problems.
5G contributes to meeting these issues by speeding farm digitization and linking all aspects of the industry. Tiny soil sensors that measure watering and fertilizing requirements to reduce use might have a battery life of up to ten years when connected to 5G.
The very same 5G network can provide mission-critical connectivity to self-driving farming machines, allowing them to be autonomous and synchronized, boosting efficiency and safety.
When 5G Will Officially Launch In India?
Many industry insiders would tell you that 5G is already here. However, most customers will not be able to take advantage of 5G’s full potential till the low-band spectrum becomes accessible in late 2021 or 2022.
The initial implementation of the technology is centred on heavily populated areas and large cities, according to service providers. The adoption of 5G technology in the mainstream consumer sector will most likely be gradual. Don’t anticipate an overnight change. Consumers, on the other hand, should expect to see additional features made feasible by this new technology being incorporated into their lives on a daily basis based on the latest updates.
Did You KnowTech experts around the world believe that 5G will most likely have a fundamental impact on VR and AR development and usage as well – spurring increased use of the technology.
Are 5G Services Available In India?
By the end of 2022, 5G services would be offered in up to 13 cities throughout India, including Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Pune, and Gandhi Nagar.