4G LTE vs. 5G: How do they compare?

For years, 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks served as the bedrock of mobile communication, offering reliable service. It digitized our mobile experience, but it was built on a "one-size-fits-all" architecture that eventually strained under the demand for greater speed and capacity.

5G, the fifth generation of mobile network technology, is more than just a faster signal; it is a fundamental shift in network architecture designed to handle a massive surge in connected devices. Its speed over other wireless networks, its low latency, and real-time communication capabilities make it an ideal choice for connected devices that demand quick, millisecond-level responses, such as self-driving cars, virtual reality, and other similar applications. This means 5G technology promises to revolutionize how we use the internet, and it has the potential to revolutionize how we use the internet of things (IoT).

Core performance metrics that make 5G superior: Speed, latency, and the radio

The most immediate comparison between 4G and 5G rests on three measurable advantages:

• Speed: 4G LTE's peak download speed generally tops out at around 100 Mbps (Megabits per second), whereas 5G can theoretically deliver speeds up to 20 Gbps (Gigabits per second).
• Latency: 4G LTE typically has a latency between 50 and 100 milliseconds. 5G is engineered to achieve latency as low as 1 millisecond. This ultra-low latency is the key to real-time communication for critical applications.
• Technology: 5G replaces the previous radio technology with 5G New Radio (5G NR), built specifically to leverage higher-frequency spectrum bands and advanced signal processing.

How 5G is built to enable its superiority to 4G LTE

The capacity revolution: Massive MIMO and intelligent beamforming

The technologies that enable 5G to handle vastly more users and devices simultaneously—its capacity—are perhaps its most profound improvement over 4G LTE.

Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output)

If a 4G LTE cell tower has a limited number of antennas (typically up to four), a 5G base station is equipped with a huge array—often 64, 128, or more. This is Massive MIMO. It acts like a massive set of traffic lanes, allowing the station to transmit and receive dozens of independent data streams simultaneously on the same frequency band, effectively multiplying the network's total capacity. This is why 5G can support up to 1 million devices per square kilometer, significantly more than 4G.

Intelligent beamforming

Beamforming is the mechanism that directs the signal precisely. Instead of broadcasting a signal broadly like 4G, 5G employs intelligent beamforming software to dynamically calculate the location of a device and direct a focused, narrow beam of radio energy specifically toward it. This directed energy:

• Reduces Interference: By focusing the signal only where needed, it avoids wasting power and minimizes interference for other users.
• Increases Consistency: It overcomes the natural range limitations of high-frequency 5G signals, improving the effective coverage and signal quality for the individual user.

Different 5G types cover all use cases

The applications and benefits of 5G are almost limitless due to the exponential difference in 5G’s speed and capacity compared to previous generations of networking technology. There are three types of 5G, each of which is best suited to different use cases:

1. High-band 5G, also referred to as millimeter wave or mm-wave, uses high-frequency bands, typically between 24 GHz and 52 GHz, to deliver ultra-fast download speeds. It offers the fastest data rates, but generally only covers short distances.
2. Mid-band 5G uses frequencies between 3 GHz and 24 GHz, offering better coverage and improved latency over high-band 5G. This type of 5G is the preferred option for most telecoms, as it offers a good balance between speed and coverage.
3. Low-band 5G uses frequencies below 1 GHz. It offers the best coverage, with speeds comparable to those of 4G LTE, and is the most popular 5G option for carriers in the United States.

5G offers opportunities across multiple industries & verticals

The three varieties of 5G make it applicable to a broad variety of verticals, both for enhancing current operations and enabling new opportunities.

For example:

• Automotive: 5G is expected to revolutionize the automotive industry by providing faster and more reliable connections for self-driving cars, improved navigation, and real-time traffic updates.
• Healthcare: 5G will enable healthcare providers to transmit high-resolution images and vital signs quickly, improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis.
• Retail: 5G will enable faster checkout, improved inventory tracking, and real-time location-based marketing.
• Manufacturing: 5G will enable higher precision, more automation, and faster communication between machines in the manufacturing process.
• Education: 5G will allow for more interactive and immersive learning experiences, such as virtual reality and augmented reality.
• Agriculture: 5G will enable more precise farming techniques, such as automated irrigation, soil monitoring, and crop monitoring.

Inseego helps you take advantage of 5G

Overall, 5G networks offer a significant upgrade over 4G LTE networks, and they have the potential to revolutionize the way we use the internet, our mobile devices, and IoT devices across multiple industries.

But to do so, enterprises will need devices that allow them to leverage the right type of 5G for their operation. Rural enterprises may want to take advantage of low-band 5G using wireless cellular routers. Indoor, urban enterprises may want to look at fixed wireless devices that allow easy deployment of high-power 5G wherever it's needed.

Contact us today to learn about which devices would most benefit your business.