A Quick Look At 5G vs. 4G Network Technologies
5G (fifth generation) Network Technology is an emerging technology in the sense that it represents a substantial leap forward in wireless communications compared to its predecessor, 4G (forth-generation). It has many advantages to 4G technology. I would like to list a few of these advantages here:
It has a much lower latency (time it takes data to travel from source to destination) than 4G. This is important in real time responsiveness in applications used for augmented reality, online gaming, and autonomous vehicles.
5G networks have a much higher capacity that can handle a larger number of connected devices simultaneously. This is important because the number of connected devices are growing faster than ever, for instance Internet of Things (IOT).
The data speed offered by 5G is much faster than 4G. While 4G can provide download speeds of several hundred Mbps, 5G aims to deliver speeds in the range of Gbps. This allows for much better data transfer rates and smoother streaming.
4G primarily uses lower-frequency bands, while 5G utilizes a broader spectrum of both lower and higher-frequency bands. These higher-frequency bands have increased speed; however, these waves have shorter range and are easier to block by obstacles. Therefore, the use of a combination of frequency bands for optimal performance.
My interest in 5G networks technology is two folds. First, as I learn about networking and networks, I am interested in how faster, more reliable connectivity allows for smoother data transfers of larger files. Secondly, with ever growing numbers of connected devices including IoT devices the need for 5G technology and beyond is growing faster than ever.
List of my sources: