What is the real difference between 4G and 5G internet?

The terms 4G and 5G have become synonymous with fast mobile internet in recent years. They are also driving technological progress. While 4G, or LTE, is already the standard, 5G comes with revolutionary changes that promise to push the boundaries of mobile internet to a completely new level. Let's take a look at how these networks differ.

Speed

The most visible and talked-about difference between 4G and 5G is speed. While 4G networks achieve an average download speed of around 20 Mbps and upload speed of around 10 Mbps, 5G networks promise up to tenfold acceleration, with a theoretical maximum download speed of up to 20 Gbps and upload speed of up to 10 Gbps.

In practice, you could download a full-length high-definition movie in a few seconds, quickly send a large file, or smoothly stream in high resolution 4K or 8K.

Latency

Another key parameter that affects the smoothness and responsiveness of online applications is latency – the delay between sending a request from your device and its delivery to the server and back.

While 4G latency is around 50 milliseconds, 5G networks can reduce it to an incredible 1 ms, which is close to the human brain's reaction time. This near-instantaneous response opens the doors to new technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), autonomous driving, telemedicine, and online gaming.

Capacity

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, which is why 4G networks are struggling with the growing number of connected devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops, as well as smartwatches, fitness bands, smart homes, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

For this reason, 5G networks come with much greater capacity and bandwidth, allowing billions of devices to connect without affecting network speed and stability. Rapid deployment of 5G is therefore crucial for the development of the Internet of Things, smart cities, Industry 4.0, and other innovative technologies that require reliable connectivity.

Frequency

5G networks use higher frequency bands for data transmission than 4G. This allows them to achieve higher speeds and capacity but also reduces signal reach and the ability to penetrate obstacles like building walls or trees.

To ensure adequate 5G signal coverage, a denser network of transmitters needs to be built, which brings higher costs for operators.

Impact on battery

Although 5G networks operate at higher frequencies and speeds, they are paradoxically more energy-efficient than 4G. Thanks to optimization and new technologies, 5G devices can work with lower energy consumption, extending their battery life on a single charge.

What will 6G and future generations bring?

Even though 5G is still in the development and implementation phase, scientists and engineers are already working on the next generation of mobile networks – 6G. It is expected that 6G will bring further radical acceleration, with download speeds of up to 1 Tbps and extremely low latency below 1 ms.

The 6G network should be based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and blockchain, enabling better adaptation to user needs and optimization of network resources.

Key innovations that 6G could bring include:

• Tactile internet – The ability to transmit sensations of touch and feel remotely, which could completely change online shopping, entertainment, and medicine.
• Holographic communication – The ability to communicate with 3D holographic projections that could replace video calls and online conferences.
• Fully autonomous systems – Reliable and safe operation of self-driving vehicles, drones, and robots in real-time.
• Intelligent infrastructure – Connecting and automating urban infrastructure, such as transportation, energy, and security.

The arrival of 6G networks is expected around 2030 and promises another revolution in mobile connectivity and technology.

For now, we have to be content with established 4G and gradually developing 5G. It promises a revolution in many areas, from online entertainment and communication to autonomous systems and smart cities to telemedicine.