Technology Standard: 4G is based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, which is a progression from the 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).
Peak Data Rates: Theoretically, 4G can support peak download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of 100 Mbps.
Latency: 4G networks typically have a latency of around 30 milliseconds (ms) to 50 ms, although real-world latencies can vary based on network conditions.
Frequency Bands: 4G operates on various frequency bands, including low (e.g., 700 MHz), mid (e.g., 2.5 GHz), and high (e.g., 3.5 GHz) frequency bands.
MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output): 4G utilizes MIMO technology, allowing multiple antennas to send and receive data simultaneously, improving data rates and network efficiency.
QoS (Quality of Service): 4G provides enhanced QoS features, ensuring better management of network resources for various applications like video streaming, online gaming, and voice over IP (VoIP).
Network Architecture: 4G networks are built upon an IP-based architecture, enabling seamless integration with other IP networks and supporting advanced services and applications.
5G (Fifth Generation)
Technology Standard: 5G builds upon the foundation of 4G LTE but introduces new technologies like millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies and advanced antenna techniques.
Peak Data Rates: 5G promises peak download speeds exceeding 10 Gbps and ultra-low latency of around 1 ms.
Latency: The latency in 5G networks is significantly reduced compared to 4G, targeting latencies as low as 1 ms, which is crucial for real-time applications like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and autonomous vehicles.
Frequency Bands: 5G operates across a wide range of frequency bands, including low-band (sub-1 GHz), mid-band (1 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band or mmWave (above 24 GHz) frequencies. The mmWave bands offer high data rates but have limited coverage due to their shorter propagation distance.
MIMO and Beamforming: 5G employs advanced MIMO techniques, including Massive MIMO and beamforming, to enhance spectral efficiency and network capacity. Massive MIMO utilizes a large number of antennas to serve multiple users simultaneously, while beamforming focuses the signal directionally to improve coverage and capacity.
Network Slicing: One of the significant advancements in 5G is network slicing, allowing operators to create multiple virtual networks with customized characteristics, catering to specific use cases and applications.
Edge Computing: 5G promotes edge computing by moving computation closer to the data source, reducing latency and improving response times for applications like IoT, AR, and VR.
