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WHAT ARE 4G, 5G, AND LTE, AND HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
WHAT ARE 4G, 5G, AND LTE, AND HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
24th Dec, 2022
What are the distinctions between 4G, 5G, and LTE, and why are they important? Telecommunications companies often use confusing jargon like “4G LTE,” “5G NR,” “5G+,” “5Ge,” and so on, but what is the actual significance of these terms?
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What is 4G?
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) established the specification for 4G, or “Fourth Generation,” in 2008 under its ITU-R department, which focuses on radio communications. 4G is well-known for its broadband capabilities and notably faster speeds than its predecessor, 3G, which first brought data connectivity to cellular networks.
Due to the substantial difference between 3G and 4G, companies aimed to ensure their customers understood they were receiving an improved service beyond the previous 3G network. To achieve this, they introduced a solution: LTE, which stands for “Long-Term Evolution.” Originally intended to represent a “Long-Term Evolution” toward the 4G standard, marketing experts realized they could position it as a superior alternative to the standard by adding “4G” in front of it. As a result, “4G LTE” was born.
How fast is 4G?
The ITU standard set out the requirement for a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps and a maximum of 1 Gbps for 4G, but this was not achievable at the time. It took several years before U.S. carriers were able to meet these specifications. To be considered a true 4G network, a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps is necessary. Some carriers have distinguished this upgraded 4G network by labeling it 4G LTE-A (Verizon), 5Ge (AT&T), or 4G LTE+ to differentiate it from the previous 4G LTE standard.
What is LTE?
LTE, short for “Long Term Evolution,” was introduced as a marketing term to indicate progress toward true 4G. However, LTE is an upgraded version of 3G and is better than basic 3G, but weaker than true 4G. The LTE international standard is not well-defined and is frequently updated, which makes it difficult to establish a true standard for LTE. Currently, 4G LTE networks send data at rates lower than the minimum 100 Mbps required for true 4G. Unfortunately, many consumers think of 4G LTE as a more advanced version of 4G when it is not. To address this confusion, some companies have used marketing terms like 5Ge, 4G LTE-A, and 4G LTE+ to represent the fastest 4G options available, even though they are just 4G networks. Additionally, companies that have achieved 4G speeds often choose not to advertise it to avoid further confusion among consumers.
How fast is LTE?
The lack of a concrete standard for 4G LTE means that it encompasses a broad spectrum of potential speeds, ranging from the average 3 Mbps of 3G to the 100 Mbps of true 4G. Generally, download speeds fall within the range of 12-30 Mbps, with faster speeds attainable in larger urban areas.
What is 5G?
The ITU has laid out a new standard called 5G, which is the fifth-generation network that promises faster speeds, lower latency, increased network capacity, and greater reliability to connect virtually everything and everyone. It achieves this by utilizing new technologies and extending into new frequency spectrums. To qualify as genuine 5G, the standard requires a minimum speed of 1 Gbps with a latency of just 1 millisecond.
There are three types of 5G networks, including low-band, mid-band, and high-band, each with different speed and latency rates. Similar to 4G, not all 5G networks qualify as true 5G. The deployment of 5G began in early 2019, and it is likely to take many years to achieve complete implementation. To learn more about 5G, you can refer to our ultimate 5G guide.
How fast is 5G?
The introduction of 5G technology will transform download speeds and revolutionize the way devices connect. Ideally, 5G can provide speeds of up to 20 Gbps and a minimum of 1 Gbps. However, the varying types of 5G result in fluctuating speeds.
Low-band 5G offers only slightly faster speeds than 4G, while higher bands provide much faster speeds but at a shorter range. The best 5G experience is available when connected to the higher-end mid-band or mm Wave spectrum.
Despite the faster speeds of 5G, it will not entirely replace 4G, as there are still many benefits to the previous generation. If you want to learn more about the differences in the waveforms between 4G and 5G, we recommend checking out this article.
Does 5G Have Lower Latency Than 4G?
The introduction of 5G technology will transform download speeds and revolutionize the way devices connect. Ideally, 5G can provide speeds of up to 20 Gbps and a minimum of 1 Gbps. However, the varying types of 5G result in fluctuating speeds.
Low-band 5G offers only slightly faster speeds than 4G, while higher bands provide much faster speeds but at a shorter range. The best 5G experience is available when connected to the higher-end mid-band or mm Wave spectrum.
Despite the faster speeds of 5G, it will not entirely replace 4G, as there are still many benefits to the previous generation. If you want to learn more about the differences in the waveforms between 4G and 5G, we recommend checking out this article.
What are 5G+, 5GUW, and 5GUC?
The various types of 5G operate at different frequencies and provide different speeds, and each carrier has a different name for them. This has led to a variety of 5G icons that can confuse, much like the situation with 4G and 4G LTE.
When devices are connected to low-band frequencies, they display the standard 5G icon. However, when they are connected to the mid-band or high-band spectrum, the icons change. AT&T devices display the 5G+ icon, Verizon devices display 5G UW (Ultra-Wideband), and T-Mobile devices display 5G UC (Ultra-Capacity). These types of 5G networks are the closest to true 5G.
What is 5G NR?
If you have been delving into 5G, you might have come across the term 5G NR or 5G New Radio. This is the new radio access technology established by 3GPP for the 5G standard, replacing the previous radio access technology specification, LTE.
The purpose of 5G NR is to define how 5G devices, such as smartphones, routers, and gateways, and 5G network infrastructure, including cell towers, small cells, and other Radio Access Network equipment, utilize radio waves to communicate with each other. It has been developed in a sophisticated manner to build a flexible, scalable, and efficient 5G network that can support a wide range of use cases and demands.
Compared to LTE, 5G NR provides faster data transmission, less latency, and other significant improvements to the network. To get a better understanding of 5G NR, check out this excellent and relatively easy-to-understand article by Sierra Wireless.
Will 5G Work on 4G Phones?
To function on 5G networks, mobile devices need to be able to operate on different frequencies than those used by 4G networks. As a result, phones that only support 4G will not work on 5G networks, but they will continue to function in the 5G landscape that is constantly evolving.
However, does this imply that you need to purchase a 5G-enabled device? Unless you reside in a location with 5G coverage and frequently use your phone for activities like streaming or browsing, there is no pressing need to do so at the moment. However, upgrading to a 5G-capable device is likely to provide faster connection speeds if you’re interested in doing so.
Is 5G safe?
Some have raised concerns about the safety of 5G technology, but according to the World Health Organization (WHO), few studies have been conducted, and as long as radiofrequency exposure remains within international guidelines, there are no anticipated public health risks.
Consider the fact that low-band 5G uses frequencies similar to those used by 4G. The only known effect of exposure to those frequencies is a rise in body temperature. There is no conclusive evidence of any other potential health risks. As frequencies increase, such as with 5G, they penetrate the body less.
5G mid-band frequencies are located in the spectrum near the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are not believed to pose any more danger than Wi-Fi. Moreover, numerous studies suggest that exposure to Wi-Fi radio-frequencies has no health consequences.
The mm-Wave is perhaps the most concerning of the three, which is a bit ironic. These frequency waves are limited in range and easily disrupted. Most experts contend that mm Waves do not penetrate beyond the outer layer of skin, if that, and their only known effect is to cause a slight increase in temperature.
What is the difference between 4G and 5G?
Beyond waveforms, speed, and latency, the disparity between 5G and 4G is extensive. While 4G predominantly relies on large cell towers for transmitting signals, 5G infrastructure is set to be much more substantial. In addition to using cell towers for long-range frequencies, 5G will densely deploy small cells throughout urban and some suburban areas for higher frequencies that can only travel short distances. This new technology will enable cell sites to support approximately one million devices per square kilometer, compared to 4G’s capacity of only about 4,000 devices in the same area. Furthermore, 5G networks will have the ability to focus signals directly into a device, resulting in a more efficient network.
The increased capacity of 5G will allow for greater connectivity beyond just phones, revolutionizing the way machines, devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT) communicate and receive data. With faster speeds, lower latency, higher capacity, and innovative technology, 5G can make advancements such as revitalization, fully self-driving cars, same-day delivery drones, and more a reality. However, carriers will initially make use of their existing 4G networks and gradually integrate 5G since, as of 2022, 5G only provides data and does not impact voice. Basic calls and texts may not be noticeably different with 5G yet.
Can the Average Person Tell the Difference Between 4G and LTE?
Currently, the difference between 5G and 4G is relatively small, especially with the implementation of 4G LTE-A, which is considered to be “true” 4G. Under ideal signal conditions, the minimum speed for 4G should be 100 Mbps, which ensures that you are receiving authentic 4G. The maximum speeds for 4G are 1000 Mbps down and 500 Mbps up, so if you are receiving speeds close to these, then you are experiencing the leading edge of 4G, even though the specifications were established over a decade ago.
However, it is important to note that these speeds are reliant on an optimized 4G or LTE signal. Many areas suffer from weak 4G signals, which can lead to slower speeds. If you are interested in learning how to improve your signal strength, continue reading.
How Can I Improve My 4G, LTE, or 5G Signal?
The most well-known manufacturer of cellular signal boosters is Bftsync. For home, office, or vehicle use, cell phone boosters can amplify 5G, 4G, LTE, and other networks for any phone with any carrier. They work best with an antenna pointed toward the nearest cell tower.
We truly detest dropped calls and poor coverage, so one satisfied customer at a time, we want to rid the world of spotty signals:
- Contact our US-based customer support at sales@Bftsync.com for a complimentary consultation or call us at 1-281-616-5786 to ask us anything.
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If you have any questions, we are happy to assist.