What is the difference between 4G and 5G?

 

The 5th generation wireless network is completing its evolution beyond the mobile internet to the massive IoT (Internet of Things) starting in 2019/2020.

The main evolution compared to current 4G and 4.5G (aka advanced LTE, LTE-A, LTE+ or 4G+) is that, beyond data speed improvements, new IoT and critical communications use cases require better performance levels.

• For example, low latency provides real -time interactivity for services that use the cloud: for example, this is the key to the success of a self -driving car.
• 5G vs 4G also means at least x100 devices are connected. 5G should be able to support 1 million devices for 0.386 square miles or 1 km2.
• Also, the low power consumption will allow the connected object to be used for many months or years without the need for human assistance.

Unlike current IoT services that make performance trade-offs to get the most out of current wireless technologies (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.), 5G networks will be designed to bring the level of performance required for massive IoT .

This will enable a connected world everywhere.

In short, this is what makes the transformation.

5G and the previous mobile generations at a glance:

In the last four decades, mobile phones, more than any other technology, have quietly changed our lives forever.

Do you remember how much you loved your Nokia 3310 2G?

• 1G, the first generation telecommunications network (1979), let’s talk and be mobile
• 2G digital network (1991) let's send messages and travel (with roaming services)
• 3G (1998) brings a better mobile internet experience (with limited success)
• 3.5G provides a true mobile internet experience, unleashing the mobile application ecosystem
• 4G Networks (2008) brings all-IP (Voice and Data) services, a fast broadband internet experience, with integrated network architecture and protocols
• 4G LTE (for Long Term Evolution), since 2009, data speeds have doubled
• 5G networks are expanding broadband wireless services beyond the mobile internet into the IoT and critical communications segments

Virtual networks (5G slicing) tailored to each use case : 

5G will support all the communication needs of a low -power Local Area Network (LAN) - just like a home network, such as a Wide Area Network (WAN), with the right latency/speed settings.

This need is now addressed by integrating various communication networks (Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, LoRa, 3G, 4G, etc.).

And 5G is smarter.  

5G is designed to allow simple virtual network configurations to better align network costs with application needs.

This new approach will allow 5G Mobile Network operators to capture a larger chunk of the IoT market by delivering cost-effective solutions for low-band, low-power applications.