We discussed the key benefits of 5G over 4G in one of the previous blogs – https://www.vamsitalkstech.com/5g/top-10-ways-in-which-5g-is-better-than-4g/. 4G and 5G are the two most recent generations of cellular network technology. 4G was introduced in 2010, and 5G is still under development, but it is expected to be widely available in the next few years. As the world eagerly embraces the fifth generation, it’s crucial to understand the differences between 4G and 5G and how they are reshaping our digital experiences.
Technical Reasons for “Why 5G is Better Than 4G”?
While the answer to this question seems obvious. 5G is faster than 4G for a number of technical reasons. These include:
- Use of higher frequency bands: 5G uses higher frequency bands than 4G. This allows 5G to transmit more data in a given amount of time. However, higher frequency bands also have a shorter range, so 5G networks need to be more densely deployed than 4G networks.
- Use of millimeter wave (mmWave) technology: 5G can also use millimeter wave (mmWave) technology. mmWave is a very high frequency band that can transmit data at very high speeds. However, mmWave has a very short range, so it is only used in areas where there is a high concentration of users, such as stadiums and concert venues.
- Use of multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology: 5G uses MIMO technology, which allows multiple antennas to transmit and receive data simultaneously. This can improve the speed and reliability of the connection.
- Use of carrier aggregation: 5G can aggregate multiple frequency bands, which can further improve the speed of the connection.
- Use of network slicing: 5G can be used to create multiple virtual networks on the same physical network. This allows different types of traffic, such as video streaming and gaming, to be prioritized, which can improve the performance of each type of traffic.
So what does this mean from a performance, throughput, and scalability standpoint? Here are some of the most important advantages – Speed, Latency, Bandwidth, and Coverage:
- Speed: 5G is much faster than 4G. 5G can theoretically achieve download speeds of up to 100 gigabytes per second (Gbps), while 4G can only achieve download speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
- Latency: 5G has much lower latency than 4G. Latency is the time it takes for a signal to travel from one point to another. 5G has a latency of around 1 millisecond (ms), while 4G has a latency of around 50 ms.
- Bandwidth: 5G has much wider bandwidth than 4G. Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time. 5G has a bandwidth of up to 100 MHz, while 4G has a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz.
- Coverage: 5G has a shorter range than 4G. This is because 5G uses higher frequency bands, which are more susceptible to attenuation. However, 5G networks can be deployed using a variety of technologies, including small cells, to improve coverage.
So sure, 5G is a much faster, more responsive, and more capable technology than 4G. It is expected to revolutionize the way we use the internet and mobile devices. But what does it mean for business and use cases?
Which New Categories of Business Applications Can 5G Enable?
Here are the business benefits of 5G:
- Faster downloads and streaming: 5G will allow us to download and stream content much faster than ever before. This will be a boon for gamers, video watchers, and anyone else who consumes a lot of digital media.
- Lower latency: 5G will have much lower latency than 4G. This means that we will be able to experience a more responsive internet connection. This will be especially beneficial for real-time applications like gaming and video conferencing.
- More connected devices: 5G will be able to support a much larger number of connected devices than 4G. This means that we will be able to connect more devices to the internet, such as smart home appliances, self-driving cars, and industrial robots.
- New applications: 5G will enable new applications that were not possible with 4G. For example, 5G could be used to power virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, or to provide real-time traffic data to self-driving cars.
Can we quantify the 5G Economy in terms of Revenue?
Through a 5G Economy study, Qualcomm [1] found that 5G’s full fiscal impact will likely be realized across the globe by 2035. It is forecast that 5G will eventually support a wide range of industries and potentially enable up to $13.1 trillion worth of goods and services.
This impact is demonstrably greater than previous network generations (such as 4G) as it expands beyond the traditional mobile networking players to industries such as the automotive industry.
5G will drive global growth to the effect of –
- $13.1 Trillion dollars of global economic output
- 22.8 Million new jobs created
- $265B global 5G CAPEX and R&D annually over the next 15 years
The study also reveals that 5G will create a value chain (including OEMs, operators, content creators, app developers, and consumers). This value chain will support up to 22.8 million jobs. And there are many emerging and new applications that will still be defined in the future. Only time will tell what the full “5G effect” on the economy is going to be.
References
[1] Qualcomm – Everything you need to know about 5G – https://www.qualcomm.com/5g/what-is-5g#:~:text=5G%20is%20faster%20than%204G,(Mbps)%20average%20data%20rates.
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