5G offers significantly higher speeds, lower latency and greater network capacity than 4G. It enables new technologies and applications that are not possible with 4G.1. Definition and technology: - 4G (Fourth Generation): 4G is the fourth generation of cellular technology introduced after 3G. It offers faster data transfer rates and improved network capacity compared to the previous generations. - 5G (Fifth Generation): 5G is the fifth generation of mobile technology, replacing 4G, and brings significant advances in speed, latency and network capacity. 2. Speed and data transfer: - 4G: Offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps (mobile) up to 1 Gbit/s (static connections, e.g. in Wi-Fi). This enables fast data transfer for applications such as HD streaming and fast downloads. - 5G: Reaches theoretical speeds of up to 10 Gbps or more, depending on network configuration and frequency band. This enables extremely fast streaming, lightning-fast downloads, and new applications such as 8K video and augmented reality (AR). 3. Latency (delay time): - 4G: Latency on 4G is typically around 30 to 50 milliseconds, which is sufficient for most applications, but can occasionally be noticeable in real-time applications such as online gaming or augmented reality. - 5G: Reduces latency to approximately 1 to 10 milliseconds. This lower delay enables near-instant response times, which is critical for real-time applications, autonomous vehicles, and critical communications services. 4. Network capacity and connection nodes: - 4G: Supports a large number of connections, but has limitations in the number of simultaneously connected devices per square kilometer, especially in busy areas. - 5G: Offers significantly increased network capacity and can support millions of devices per square kilometer. This is especially important for the Internet of Things (IoT) and device connectivity in urban environments. 5. Frequency bands: - 4G: Mainly uses frequency bands in the range of 700 MHz to 2.6 GHz. These frequencies offer good coverage and penetrate walls and other obstacles relatively well. - 5G: Uses a wider range of frequency bands, including the lower frequencies (sub-6 GHz) and the higher frequencies (mmWave, 24 GHz and above). Higher frequencies offer very high speeds, but have shorter range and are less able to penetrate walls. 6. Energy efficiency and operating costs: - 4G: Is energy efficient, but the network infrastructure requires significant resources to handle the growing demand for data and connections. - 5G: Aims for greater energy efficiency and enables optimized network usage through new technologies such as beamforming and network slicing. However, building and operating 5G infrastructure can be costly, especially when using mmWave technology. 7. Areas of application: - 4G: Works well for most current applications such as mobile internet, HD streaming and social media. - 5G: Enables new application areas such as autonomous driving, precise real-time monitoring, Industry 4.0, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). 5G will also be crucial for the development of smart cities and the networking of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). Summary: 4G offers solid performance for most current mobile applications, but 5G brings significant improvements in speed, latency and network capacity. 5G enables a new era of connectivity with ultra-fast data rates, near-instant response time and support for a large number of devices, making it ideal for future technology development. FAQ 9: Updated on: 27 July 2024 16:10 |