You may have noticed that 5G is one of the most talked-about topics today. You may have heard that it is fast and better. So, what exactly is the difference between 4g and 5g? And why is 5G better than 4G?
Here are some of the differences between 4G and 5G technology, focusing on how 5G can vastly improve network connections.
1) 4G Vs 5G – The Speed Test
Let’s start with the basics. Speed.
Whether you are streaming a video or watching live TV like sports channels, news telecasts, or live entertainment, you would expect your content to load without buffering and stream consistently at high data speeds. So, how does 5G compare with 4G in terms of speed?
- Today, 4G offers a download speed of up to 35 Mbps. For the daily consumer, this speed lets one or two connected members stream a 4K video and do other minor activities like surfing the web, checking emails, etc. But as more people connect to the same network, you can experience lags, buffering issues, and slowdowns.
- Now, 5G is said to offer download speeds that can reach 10 Gbps! This means it can be almost 100 times faster than 4G. So, you could download an HD-quality movie in a matter of seconds and stream more movies at the same time. Therefore, 5G offers much better speed than 4G.
2) The Number of Device Connections Possible
Imagine a traffic jam on a one-way street where more and more automobiles keep crowding, looking for a way through. This is what happens when more members try to join an already crowded network. So, how do 4G and 5G handle multiple connections?
- 4G can face difficulties handling many devices in the same location. You may have experienced this yourself when you try to use your phone at crowded events like concerts, airports etc. The best that you can do is check your messages or emails. And according to statistics, 4G can handle only up to 1 lakh devices per square kilometre.
- 5G can handle a lot more devices. This is because 5G technology allows you to transmit data to devices with high precision. This reduces noise in the network and increases the number of device connections possible. It is estimated that 5G can handle as many as 1 million devices per square kilometre.
3) Going Beyond Smartphones
Today, smartphones are not the only devices that need high-quality connections. There are industrial machines, healthcare robots, agricultural sensors, and other high-performance IoT devices that all require efficient network connections to function well. Let’s see how 4G and 5G deal with different types of devices.
- 4G is designed to provide an equal service to every device connected. This means any device, whether a small sensor or a surgery robot, gets the same service with the same speed and capacity. And this approach does not work for surgery robots, industrial devices, and more since they require uninterrupted connections with high precision.
- 5G is designed specifically to connect many types of devices and customize their connections as well. So, 5G can provide a low-energy connection for something like a fitness band. And for an industrial robot, the 5G network can be customized to provide a stable and fast connection, making it more efficient than 4G.
4) Testing Their Capacity
It is evident from 4G’s speed, bandwidth, and connectivity characteristics that it can support minimal services, particularly condensed to mobile phones. But 5G technology offers a much higher processing capacity that is not just limited to mobile phones.
- A 5G network can bring cloud services to a whole new level, making cloud gaming possible. It can act as a processing centre, improving the performance of devices, saving on hardware, and enabling new device innovations like improved VR glasses, drone delivery mechanisms, etc.
Stay Tuned for Vi 5G!
5G is here to rock the world with its super-fast performance that can be applied across many different use cases. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about Vi 5G and sign up for Vi 5G services. Coming soon!
