5G VS 4G - Why 5G is Better Than 4G

Haseeb Awan
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April 5, 2023

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5G technology is the latest broadband cellular network. The mobile industry trade group GSMA predicts that by 2022 5, there will be 2 billion people on the planet, and a third of them will probably be serviced by 5G technology.

Undoubtedly, the next-generation networks are a top priority for telecoms worldwide. In reality, they plan to develop them over a 5 period for close to $1 trillion.

But why 5G instead of 4G?

In an ideal society, each generation builds on the best traits of the ones before it and flourishes in ways that earlier generations could not. In some ways, difficulties brought about by previous generations are addressed by the latest generation.

Generations of telecom technology and mobile connectivity should pay particular attention to this. 5G seeks to improve 4G network capabilities and reach and exceed 4G's objectives for overall bandwidth, density, and latency.

Numerous networking trends were developed during the 4G timeframe, including the expansion of the Internet of Things, the rise of phones, and the use of remote and mobile workforces. The 2010s saw a significant advancement in these tendencies, necessitating the maintenance of faster speeds and higher cell densities. Here comes 5G, which many commentators believe will solve the problems that 4G caused.

You should evaluate how both network designs might impact business operations before hopping on the 5G bandwagon. This includes understanding the differences between 5G and 4G technologies. This article delves deeply into those variations and explores these crucial distinctions.

Also, Read What is The Future of 5G Security?

How 5G is Better Than 4G?

It all boils down to bandwidth and the considerable business opportunity that mobile networks offer incredibly fast, low latency, and broadly accessible.

Since connectivity first appeared in the 1990s, networking has undoubtedly changed. It now powers complex infrastructures instead of just giving access to the internet.

As a result, revolutionary new services have been developed, such as smart cities, which use IoT to link everything from phones, houses, and vehicles to traffic networks and even the collection and disposal of vehicles.

Clearly, these extensive and intricate networks demand high levels of network efficiency. They require a specific amount of range, latency, and speed.

Telecommunications companies are now limited to using well-established wireless technologies like WiFi, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE. But there are performance trade-offs with each of these choices. Whereas 5G is different - better different.

Here is how:

Speed

5G is a hundred times speedier than 4G. Its download rates are capable of 10 GBs/sec under ideal circumstances. It is unquestionably the level of speed required for a world that is becoming increasingly connected.

Speeds are blazingly fast even now when 5G technology is in its early stages of development.

Obviously, bandwidth requirements differ depending on the purpose of the network. For instance, various levels of latency, speed, and security are required for different tasks, such as streaming a movie on Netflix or sending a WhatsApp message to remotely operating a linked car.

Businesses will require better command over their networking speed and security to accommodate the most significant new use cases for a speedy and stable connection.

Latency

It's not just about speed regarding 5G's enhanced performance. The time that passes between transmitting content and receiving the correspondence is known as latency.

The average delay for 4G is around 200 milliseconds, comparable to the 250 milliseconds needed for people to respond to visual input. The 5G lag rate is only 1 millisecond, which is much less.

The creation of new services and technology, including connected autos, will depend on this significant jump. In this, latency describes the interval between clicking "stop" and when the remotely operated car begins to brake. It will only function if there is little latency.

Virtual reality games, translation services, and remote surgery are different industries where reducing latency may significantly impact.

Security

Growing potential also means increased risk. Private mobile networks will be deployed more widely, and 3rd-party vendors will have more access to the network, presenting more prospects for attackers. Due to these factors, the rollout of 5G should include the appropriate security measures to foster trust.

Authorities request a conversation between suppliers, phone companies, and regulators to identify and implement measures to reduce these risks.

The great news is that network operators have some built-in protection thanks to 5G technology. This is possible because the 5G SIM encrypts and keeps confidential, essential data in a tamper-proof Secure Element. It is pretty impenetrable and resembles a bank vault. Prior mobile network upgrades have primarily focused on delivering faster internet. 5G is unique. Yes, phone owners' connections will be sped up. But more importantly, it will fuel innovative new services that will change many other industries. And it will combine increased security with extremely high speeds. The possibility is unheard of for telecoms.

Also, Read How to Mitigate 5G Security Threats for the Future?

Network Slicing

The 5G network is a stark change from all earlier mobile networks. Its architecture is cloud-focused and virtual. Several of the crucial network components of 5G are based on software instead of hardware.

Telecommunications companies can give businesses customised slices, which are essentially standalone private networks, as a result. Any slice's owner can adjust the latency, speed, coverage, capacity, security, and encryption to suit their own needs.

Imagine the 5G network as a complex of apartments, each with a unique key that only authorised individuals can use to access. A special Slice SIM (sSIM), which may be put in any 5G SIM card, can be used to restrict access to all these private networks.

Base Stations

The most typical base station needed to transmit signals is another crucial distinction between 4G and 5G. Similar to its contemporaries, 4G uses cell towers to send messages. Operators will roll out 5G in small cells approximately the size of food containers over numerous places, but 5G utilises cellular technology because of its incredible speeds and millimetre wave bands. Cell phone towers will continue to be used by 5G for their frequency's lower spectral bands.

Because of the millimetre wave frequency, operators must set up small cells in numerous locations. Although mmWave operates at high frequencies than communication networks have up to this point, its transmissions are weaker and cover less ground. To guarantee that customers and businesses receive the signals, small cell sites must be installed often in 5G-capable locations.

Cell Density

Small cell technology allows 5G to increase internet bandwidth and cell density. Although 4G was meant to deliver it, 5G is expected to fill the gaps left by 4G. Enhanced mobile device and connectivity bandwidth will result from 5G networks having the potential to accommodate more people and machines.

OFDM Encoding

To reduce interference and increase bandwidth, various wireless signals are divided into independent channels using OFDM. Since OFDM encrypts data on multiple frequencies, it can speed up downloading on 4G and 5G networks as they would no longer be sharing a signal stream. 5G will use 100 MHz to 800 MHz channels, while 4G only uses 20 MHz channels.

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Haseeb Awan
CEO, Efani Secure Mobile

I founded Efani after being Sim Swapped 4 times. I am an experienced CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the crypto and cybersecurity industry. I provide Secure Mobile Service for influential people to protect them against SIM Swaps, eavesdropping, location tracking, and other mobile security threats. I've been covered in New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Mashable, Hulu, Nasdaq, Netflix, Techcrunch, Coindesk, etc. Contact me at 855-55-EFANI or haseebawan@efani.com for a confidential assessment to see if we're the right fit!

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