- bbutler67
4G vs 5G
A new generation of mobile technology has begun, 5G. As countries around the world begin to roll out 5G networks, we’ll be able to start measuring the speed differences between the new 5G networks and the existing 4G networks.
What’s The Difference Between 4G vs 5G?
“G” is short for “generation.” There have been 5 generations of mobile networks with the first 1G network launched back in 1979. Mobile technology has grown more advanced with each successive generation.
What is 4G?
4G was launched in 2010, and it’s well established in most developed countries. Throughout the 2010s, you’ve most likely been using a 4G network on your mobile phone. Back when it was released, 4G was notable for being 3x faster than 3G.
What is 5G?
The very first 5G networks were launched in 2019. 5G networks are still being launched worldwide, so there are very few areas that have 5G connectivity. 5G is expected to be nearly 3x faster than 4G. What makes 5G more powerful than 4G is that it uses a brand new type of radio wave. To roll out 5G networks, radio towers must be refitted with sensors that can read the new wave, and consumers must also have 5G compatible smartphones and tablets to enjoy 5G connectivity.
Fastest Recorded 5G Speeds
Now that a handful of countries have begun to establish the first 5G networks, everyone wants to know how much faster it is than 4G and in which countries record the fastest 5G speeds.
United States of America (2.7x faster)
4G: 678 Mbps 5G: 1815 Mbps
Switzerland (2.6x faster)
4G: 443 Mbps 5G: 1145 Mbps
South Korea (1.7x faster)
4G: 619 Mbps 5G: 1071 Mbps
Australia (0.8x slower)
4G: 950 Mbps 5G: 1071 Mbps
United Arab Emirates (2.3x faster)
4G: 292 Mbps 5G: 665 Mbps
Italy (1.5x faster)
4G: 428 Mbps 5G: 657 Mbps
Spain (1x faster)
4G: 596 Mbps 5G: 602 Mbps
United Kingdom (1.3x faster)
4G: 441 Mbps 5G: 569 Mbps
But numbers can be deceiving. A country’s network speed depends on several factors such as time of day, how many radio towers and compatible devices there are, how densely area networks are built, and how much network traffic there is. It’s possible that a less populated country with less network infrastructure and network congestion could have faster network speeds. On the flip side, a highly populated country with more network infrastructure and network congestions could have slower network speeds.
What Can We expect from 5G?
It’s tough to predict just how fast 5G will be because it’s only available in a few areas, and there still aren’t a whole lot of people using 5G. However, it’s clear from the early speed tests that 5G truly has the potential to double or triple your internet speed.
What Are The Benefits Of 5G vs 4G?
5G is going to be substantially faster than 4G, and the extra speed could have a hugely positive impact on technology and society. 5G speeds can help make the Internet of Things (IoT) more widespread, give birth to new smart cities, improve the safety of self-driving cars, boost the responsiveness of virtual reality headgear. Arguably the most exciting and impactful application of 5G will be how it’s integrated into smart cities. A “smart city” is a futuristic concept that’s quickly becoming a reality in the 21st century. A smart city would use IoT sensors and other technology to derive data. This can make it easier to do things like track water and energy usage, improve traffic flow, and monitor criminal activity. Of course, a smart city with these capabilities would require a massive number of internet connected devices to work quickly and fluidly. Just think, there’d have to be a IoT device located at every home, at all street lights, on the highways, in every neighborhood, and in city plumbing facilities. There’s no way that a 4G network would be able to handle all these devices if they’re connected at once. But a 5G network could have the speeds and bandwidth to handle an extraordinarily large number of IoT devices. But you’ll also get to enjoy 5G speeds for personal use. It won’t take nearly as long to send large files via your mobile device, and streaming will be faster than ever before. While there are still plenty of questions to be answered about 5G networks, one thing seems clear: the world is about to be more interconnected than ever before.