Moving from LTE to 5G will bring better bandwidth, devices, and reliability. But, it will also make things more complex.
First proposed in 2004, long-term evolution (LTE) has become the default standard for high-speed connectivity for fourth-generation cellular networks worldwide. In contrast, 5G has started gaining traction in 2018-2019 and could transform network connectivity – particularly for IoT. This article explains the differences between LTE and 5G and discusses if 5G is better than LTE.
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Understanding the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Standard
The project name for creating a high-performance air connection for mobile communication systems is Long Term Evolution (LTE ). It is the final step toward 4th generation (4G) radio technology, which aims to boost mobile phone systems’ speed and reliability.
While previous generations of mobile communication networks were referred to as 2G or 3G, LTE is promoted as 4G. The concept was first implemented in its basic form in 2008, providing substantially greater data speeds, vastly better application performance, and cheaper operational costs.
Initial installations showed a modest increase over 3G HSPA and were termed 3.5G or 3.99G, but once people understood LTE’s full capabilities, it offered a whole 4G performance level. LTE had a direct part in creating the existing 5G standard, known as 5G New Radio. To handle 5G data sessions, early 5G networks, known as non-standalone 5G (NSA 5G), needed a 4G LTE network control. Companies may use the current 4G network foundation to install and support NSA 5G networks, cutting capital and operational expenditures for 5G operators.
See More: What Is Bluetooth LE? Meaning, Working, Architecture, Uses, and Benefits
Understanding the Fifth Generation (5G) Standard
5G refers to the fifth generation of mobile networks, and after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, it is a new worldwide wireless standard. 5G provides a unique network capable of connecting nearly anybody and everything, including machines and networked gadgets.
5G wireless technology provides more users with better multi-Gbps peak data rates, super-low latency, improved dependability, massive bandwidth, enhanced availability, and a more consistent customer experience.
Improved performance enables customer experiences and links new industries. Aside from quicker connectivity and more bandwidth, a significant benefit of 5G is the rapid reaction time, often known as latency.
The Top 10 Differences Between LTE and 5G
Long-term evolution (LTE) and 5G are different in many ways. Here are the main differences:
Differences Between LTE and 5G
1. Speed
5G is much faster than LTE. In 2008, the ITU said LTE networks should have speeds up to 1 Gb/s.
But, speeds can change due to network congestion and spectrum bandwidth. The new 5G standard from the ITU’s IMT-2020 report aims for download speeds of at least 100 Mb/s and up to 20 Gb/s.
Recently, Verizon’s 5G home internet saw speeds from 300 Mb/s to 940 Mb/s. AT&T reported speeds around 1.2 Gb/s in late 2018. 5G will use technologies like beamforming to reach gigabit speeds.
To speed up data transfer, 5G will use dynamic TDD. This changes the direction of data transfer. 4G LTE could reach download speeds of up to 150Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50Mbps.
But, these speeds can vary. Factors like location and traffic affect speeds. Realistic speeds for 4G LTE are usually 20Mbps for downloads and 10Mbps for uploads.
2. Latency
5G has lower latency than LTE. The 5G standard aims to reduce latency to 4 milliseconds for phones and one millisecond for self-driving vehicles. This is ten times faster than LTE’s ten milliseconds.
Low latency is crucial for many applications, from video downloads to automated vehicle interaction. The IEEE Access document “Business Case and Technology Analysis for 5G Low Latency Applications” highlights four use cases where ultra-low latency offers significant benefits.
The main difference between 4G and 5G is latency. 4G has higher latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to its destination. It's critical for gaming and self-driving cars. Fast response times are key for making quick decisions in real-time.
See More: 5 Ways to Secure and Manage Your 5G Network
3. Capacity
5G offers more capacity than LTE. It uses millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands and lower range spectrum. This makes a lot of bandwidth available, solving LTE's network traffic problems.
5G networks can handle up to a million devices per square kilometer. This is ten times more than 4G networks. Some providers use millimeter waves to boost capacity and bandwidth.
5G aims for a 100x increase in network capacity and efficiency. It promises a 40% boost in average per-user traffic capacity over 4G LTE.
An IEEE Xplore paper from 2017 highlights the investment in mmWave bands. They offer large bandwidth and spatial degrees of freedom.
4. Pervasive
5G aims for pervasive coverage, unlike LTE. It uses smaller antenna parts for denser installations. This provides larger and more consistent coverage than LTE.
One goal of 5G is a smoother user experience. Users can expect at least 100 Mb/s internet speed in cities. This is a big jump from LTE's 16.31 Mb/s average in 2018.
Ubiquity in 5G depends on spectrum types. Rural areas use low-band spectrum, while cities use high-band. 5G has become a platform for ubiquitous connectivity.
5G networks support integrated smart objects and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Experts say 5G will power a digital revolution, disrupting old value chains.
5. Frequency
The 5G spectrum ranges from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. LTE operates in the sub-6 GHz range. 5G uses mmWave frequencies of 24.25 GHz and above.
Lower frequency bands are used in less populated areas. They travel further but slower. 5G networks use 5G new radio technology for mmWave spectrum.
High frequencies offer high throughput for fast data transmission. They are less congested and omnidirectional. This means they can be used without interference, unlike LTE towers.
6. Availability
The ITU-R has introduced new standards and technologies in the last ten years. 5G, or 5th Generation, is the latest. It's more available in cities than in rural areas. Outside cities, phones might still use LTE.
LTE will remain available for a long time. It fills gaps where 5G is not available.
5G is still being rolled out, so not all areas can use it yet. In crowded places, you can use the faster 5G. But in cities and villages, you might only get the slower type or none at all. This means even with a 5G phone, you can't always get the latest service.
See More: What Is Ailing IoT Implementations at Scale and Ways to Fix Them
7. Complexity
5G networks are more complex than earlier mobile networks. They use higher frequencies, so each area needs more antennas and equipment. This makes setting up 5G in more places a bigger challenge.
The tools needed are heavy and big. They must fit on existing towers and roofs. This can be hard due to space, structure, and wind.
5G is more complex than LTE for several reasons. LTE was simpler and built on universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS). 5G covers more use cases and has a more complex design.
Let's look at 5G's components. We have NR (new radio) and NG-RAN (next-generation RAN). 5GS is a broader concept, while 5GC connects different systems. NG-RAN includes improved LTE and 5G NR.
8. Security measures
5G has more security features than LTE. With more applications comes more risk. So, 5G needs strong network security to ensure safety. 5G will see more private networks and third-party access, increasing hacker targets.
The E.U. urges collaboration to address these risks. They want suppliers, operators, and regulators to work together. This is to prevent security breaches.
After GDPR in 2018, the E.U. created the ePrivacy Regulation (ePR). GDPR protects personal data, while ePR focuses on privacy in electronic communications. For example, encrypting data is a way to protect privacy. The 5G SIM also helps protect user privacy.
As customers look ahead, 5G is more than just faster internet. It brings new connectivity and trust across systems. With 5G, cloud, data, and IoT cyber threats are a bigger concern. That's why 5G security is stricter than LTE.
9. Network slicing
Older networks gave the same service to everyone. If you needed a special service, like emergency services, you had to build a new network or use a VPN. 5G changes this with network slicing.
5G offers huge improvements in speed, data, and reliability. This lets operators offer new services on the same network. They can create virtual networks for different needs. This opens up new ways to make money.
For example, Huawei and Vodafone teamed up in 2018. They sliced Vodafone's network in Ireland to meet both business and home needs. This shows how network slicing can meet various demands.
Swisscom and Ericsson also showed network slicing's power in 2018. They improved public safety communications on 4G. These examples highlight 5G's potential in network slicing, even if LTE can do it too.
10. Price and availability
5G plans are more expensive than LTE, at least for now. In 2021, Statista found 5G plans cost about $89 a month, compared to $68 for LTE.
The cost difference between 5G and LTE unlimited plans varies. Operators might limit data or slow speeds to prevent misuse.
Operators offer different extras, which can affect prices. They can also limit data or slow speeds to prevent misuse.
See More: How Edge and 5G Can Unlock the True Potential of AR and VR
Making the Right Decision: Is 5g Better than LTE?
The move to 5G brings more bandwidth and devices. It also improves reliability. The biggest gain is lower latency, allowing devices to talk to each other fast. 5G also opens up new possibilities in the Internet of Things (IoT).
Whether 5G is better depends on your budget and needs. More 5G-friendly devices are coming as 5G networks grow. Look at what's available in your area and if it fits your budget and tech level.
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