The evolution of cellular network technology continues to drastically alter how we connect with one another and the rest of the globe.
For the last several years, 4G tech has been paving the way for high-speed connectivity.
With the introduction of 5G in 2019, things improved significantly, but what’s really the difference between 4G and 5G? And how exactly has 5G improved the usability of the devices most people use? This article will explore the details.
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Network Capacity
When discussing advancements in cellular technology, network capacity is at the forefront. Towards the tail end of 4G’s reign, cellular networks were being stretched to their limits: people were requiring more data year after year, and there was only so much capacity to go around, which had a propensity to result in slower speeds in the busiest areas.
5G had a solution to traditional network constraints through technologies like massive MIMO (multiple-input, multiple output) and small cell tech, allowing significantly more devices to connect to a single network without the usual associated reduction in performance.
Speed and Latency
Network capacity, speed, and latency go hand in hand, but 5G brought innovations specifically to the way it handles the latter as an isolated issue. 5G is able to transmit up to a whopping 10 gigabits per second, which is a huge advancement over the usual 100 megabits per second of 4G. This allowed for seamless HD streaming, high-speed online gaming, and better connectivity when using your phone as a wireless hotspot.
Besides these more basic functions, the technology has sparked wide-reaching improvements in dozens of specific cases. For example, the healthcare industry has greatly benefited from the boost: telemedicine revolutionized how professional care can be delivered in a post-COVID-19 world, from GP to dietician consultations and even audiologist appointments (explore additional details), and 5G made it a viable alternative.
Infrastructure Differences
5G is far more flexible than 4G when it comes to the physical infrastructure required. Rather than needing traditional cell towers to offer coverage, 5G can use a range of frequencies from low to high band, enabling adaptation to whatever is required.
This has necessitated the roll-out of smaller cell networks which took a long time to properly implement, but now that significant process has been made, the world has far more versatile connectivity options. This newer infrastructure enables people with slower devices to utilize new technology at slower speeds, while at the same time enabling those with the capability to reap its full potential.
Wrapping Up: The Future
While it took a long time to get there, a significant portion of the world is now benefiting from the greatly enhanced speed and connectivity 5G offers. Telecom companies will continue expanding to make the technology more accessible, and as cloud gaming, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles set a new standard, companies and industry will come to rely on it more than ever.
Trials for 6G are likely to start around 2028 to 2030, and the technology is expected to reach unprecedented speeds of up to one terabyte per second – and who knows what incredible innovations will result.
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