The difference between 4G and 5G?
Since broadband mobile Internet emerged, we have seen a dramatic evolution in transmission capacity, with new smartphones offering ever more advanced connectivity capabilities. Operators are always on the move for better network coverage and faster speeds.
4G's transition to 5G marks a significant step in telecommunications. Everything should be better and faster. The difference between these two telecommunications networks is evident in speed, latency and network capacity improvements. Understand these differences is key to navigate today's interconnected world and assess the potential 5G impact on our lives.
What is the 4G network?
The telecommunications sector often uses the term Very High Speed to refer to mobile or fixed Internet networks that can send or receive large volumes of data in very short time. We refer to Very High Speed when a network has a speed of over 30 Mbps, giving way to 3G, 4G and now, 5G.
4G, with an estimated theoretical max. speed of 112.5 Mbps, or the fourth generation of mobile networks, has transformed Internet access, offering faster connection speeds and greater capacity than 3G (42 Mbps). Launched in the early 2010s, the 4G network uses LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology and has enabled the growth of mobile applications, HD video streaming and real-time GPS navigation applications.
What is 5G?
Operators are not stopping there in their constant race for higher performance and quality, and 5G, or the fifth generation of mobile networks, represents a major step forward from 4G. Deployed progressively from 2019, 5G promises a theoretical maximum data rate of up to 20 Gbps, low latency, and greatly increased network capacity. Using higher frequency bands, including millimeter waves, it delivers faster and more reliable connectivity. The 5G network is tailored to meet the needs of smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), and sophisticated industrial applications. UltraEdge has moved closer to its customers with Edge data centers to better meet technological expectations.
5G has introduced new techniques designed to turn previous promises into reality: network segmentation, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and Massive Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO). It is also accompanied by a new standard called 5G New Radio (5G NR), designed to replace LTE.
4G and 5G network comparison
For users, it is often very difficult to differentiate the names of the different mobile networks. The main difference from 4G to 5G is in the quality of the Internet connection, with faster downloads and reduced latency.
Higher speed in 5G
The most striking difference between 4G and 5G is connection speed.5G offers much higher download speeds than 4G, enabling near-instantaneous datatransfer. This means download speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, making 4Kstreaming, latency-free online gaming and real-time AR possible.
Low latency in 5G
With 5G, latency is drastically reduced, reaching less than 10 milliseconds compared with around 30 to 50 milliseconds for 4G. This low latency boost becomes increasingly important for applications requiring instant responsiveness, such as telemedicine or self-driving vehicles.
Superior network capacity in 5G
5G offers far greater network capacity than 4G, primarily using the 3.5 GHz frequency band, which is far less cluttered and achieves faster data rates meaning it can support many more connected devices simultaneously. This increased capacity is essential for dense urban areas and industries where the IoT continues to play a pivotal role.
Higher energy consumption in 5G
Although 5G is more efficient from a per unit of data energy consumption perspective, the increased number of devices and base stations required for its deployment can result in higher overall power consumption.
Pros and cons of 4G and 5G networks
Even though 5G is superior to 4G, that does not mean the two networks are without their pros and cons.
4G benefits
The 4G network has enabled fast, reliable mobile connectivity, easing access to HD data services and the deployment of new mobile applications. Its infrastructure is widely deployed and offers extensive geographic coverage.
4G drawbacks
Despite its strengths, 4G has speed and latency limitations, and is not fully capable of handling a large number of simultaneously connected devices. This could pose problems with IoT and AI technologies, as faster connectivity is required, particularly in dense urban areas.
5G benefits
5G offers amazing speeds (internet speeds at least 3 times faster than 4G on average), low latency and massive connection capacity, the use of connected objects (IoT) which paves the way for innovative new applications such as VR, remote surgery, smart farming, and more.
5G drawbacks
The disadvantages of 5G include high deployment costs, security and privacy concerns, and limited geographic coverage in the first deployment phases. Plus, not all devices are yet 5G-compatible, often requiring extra investment in new hardware.
4G and 5G networks: where do they apply?
Smartphone usage
Smartphones are the first to benefit from 5G, with ultra-fast connection speeds enabling all-new user experiences. However, switching to 5G requires a compatible smartphone and a frequent change of 5G mobile plan.
Industrial applications
In industry, 5G is driving the Internet of Things and automation, enabling more efficient and secure processes in sectors such as manufacturing and logistics through the use of the smart factory.
Smart cities impact
5G delivers a significant role for the development of smart cities, assisting in the management of urban infrastructure, with the greater use of AI, smart mobility, and real-time resource management.
Healthcare innovations
In healthcare, with the use of AI, 5G powers innovations such as telemedicine, remote-assisted surgery, and real-time patient monitoring, improving access and quality of care.
Links with local data centers
Data centers of the old era had drawbacks: all stored data was located in a data center at the core of the network, and all users had to connect to this central point to access the data. This situation had a number of consequences: first, it required a considerable amount of bandwidth, and latency could not be reduced sufficiently to guarantee efficient management of certain applications.
Edge datacenters bring data closer to the edge, making data flow management more efficient for end-users. The data is located in Edge datacenters, so this configuration also speeds up response times, as they are closer together. Edge data centers are essential to support 5G rollout. By bringing data processing closer to users, they reduce latency and improve application responsiveness, facilitating the launch of advanced services and efficient data management in the 5G-era.
The demands that the growth of 5G will put on Edge data centers will be very different from those experienced by today's data center operators. Ultra Edge has anticipated this with a strategic vision of how it will build its infrastructures to give operators the means to achieve this success, by implementing smaller, less energy-intensive data centers. They are based on communication and data storage capable of handling the volume and data rates of this type.
The difference between 4G and 5G lies mainly in the improved performance, capacity and responsiveness of mobile networks. While 5G offers many advantages, it also poses challenges to widespread adoption.
Launched not so long ago, 5G is still unveiling its mysteries and testing its limits, and operators are already referring to a new 6G technology that should follow on from 5G by 2030.