What is the difference between 4G & 5G?

Usually, when we talk about the difference between 4G and 5G, we tend to talk just about connectivity. We say that 5G is faster than 4G. It is true, but it is not all. Of course, we value this technological advance, because it let us stay connected much better, easier and faster than before.

However, there is much more to know on this subject. Especially if you plan to obtain a device that can work with the 5G network, or if you have a device that currently works with a 4G network and you want to know the advantages you have.

Read on and find out all you need to know about these two networks and the differences between them:

What is 4G?

4G stands for the fourth generation of mobile phone technology, which allows you to connect to the internet more efficiently than 3G and 2G. It is much better than the previous generation because it offers faster connectivity. The download speeds can be around 80Mbps, of course depending on the data plan you have in your cell phone, the kind of cell phone you are using, and it can vary based on your location.

The lower latency is another advantage of this generation. The responses are quicker, and if you are a gamer or usually do streaming videos, you probably know the importance of it.
4G sounds great, isn’t it? If you want to get it on your cell phone, you need to check the following:

• Is it available in your area?

Not all the operators have launched 4G in all the areas they cover. So it is important to check first with your mobile operator. Most of the time you can check online, if not, you can call them for further assistance.

• Is your cell phone 4G?

Most of the smartphones that are currently in the market are 4G compatible. However, it is important to check this before buying a new cell phone. Go to the manufacturer’s website and look for the description of the product.

• Are you on a 4G plan?

Some mobile operators offer a different kinds of plans depending on your needs. If you do not have a 4G smartphone, you will not need a 4G plan. However, if you get a new cell phone, we are sure there will be no problem switching to a 4G plan.

Overall, 4G sounds a staggering advance compared to 3G and 2G services. However, did you know that 5G also exists? Let’s find out more about it.

What is 5G?

5G is the fifth-generation mobile network. It was designed to allow the user to stay connected all the time, without interruptions. It goes far beyond the advantages of 4G.
Let’s see some of the characteristics of this generation:

• It uses new technologies to provide data transfer at a faster rate of speed. The theoretical speeds can approach 15Gbps. It gives you the opportunity of communicating better and have access to files and programs faster than before.
• Related to the previous advantage, you can upload photos and videos fast and easily, to stop depending on the cell phone storage anymore.
• It enables more devices to stay connected to the network at the same time, which means that it is very difficult for the network to saturate. Consequently, you can enjoy uninterrupted navigation within the network area.
• It offers less latency, which means that the data transfer occurs almost in real-time.

As you can see, connectivity, capacity, and latency are important aspects to understand better, what 4G and 5G are.

Now, continue reading and learn the real differences between 4G and 5G.

What are the key differences between 4G and 5G?

Now that we know the characteristics of each generation, let’s detail the differences between them:

• Speed: the 5G services provide speeds that are 100 times faster than 4G. It means that users can watch videos, download apps, and enjoy streaming videos without the problem of being interrupted or having to lower the quality.
• Capacity: There is something called congestion, which is when many people are connected to the same network at the same time. With many customers using smartphones, sometimes it takes more than usual just to open a website. This does not happen with 5G, because it allows more people to stay connected simultaneously.
• Latency: Remember that latency is the time it takes for a piece of information to reach its destination. In other words, the time passed between the user’s action and the app’s response to the action. 5G reduces this time. It is around ten times less than 4G.

This feature is one of the most important for areas like gaming online, where you can be sure you will be connected at the same time that other people in other places are. It is also essential for the development of new technologies related to self-driving vehicles and remote medical assistance.

5G Use Cases in Various Industries

As we said before, reduced latency is one of the most important aspects when it is about technological developments, and of the biggest differences between 4G and 5G.

Some advances will be possible (and some of them are real today) thanks to the incorporation of 5G technologies in different processes.

For example, it will be possible for doctors to assists surgical operations in real-time, from another side of the world. Of course, doctors need to make sure that they have good connectivity and that the latency tends to zero, to provide the patient the best care and service.

On the other hand, many processes of manufacture in factories could be done by using automated systems connected to 5G networks. It can make some processes easier to run and more efficient, having the opportunity to monitor the quality product in real-time.

The 5G technology is a reality in some countries as South Korea and the United States. However, the list of the countries enjoying 5G connectivity is increasing, as well as the development of new ways to take advance of all the features that it offers.

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