Mobile networks and communication have evolved their technology over the past years to the point that now it is an everyday commodity. The demand for high-speed internet and data has increased too, which has led mobile broadband services to provide higher quality networks. The LTE network has been around for a while now, and its evolved network is called 5G.
5G vs LTE
The main difference between 5G and LTE is that 5G is the technology that came after 4G LTE to increase the speed. 5G has a radio frequency of 30 to 300 GHz, whereas LTE, which is based on 4G technology, has a radio frequency of up to 6 GHz.
5G (fifth generation) refers to the next wave of wireless communication advances designed to improve the speed and reliability of wireless networks. The 5G system intends to improve performance parameters such as coverage, peak rate, spectral efficiency, and latency. Multiple radio access technologies are projected to be supported by the 5G network (RATs).
LTE is an important enabler for providing mobile broadband. In less than 20 years, the number of users grew from zero to over one billion. 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), a global organization comprised of seven regional and national SDOs that maintain cellular standards, develops LTE technical specifications. As the underlying modulation and multi-access technology, LTE employs Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM).
Comparison Table Between 5G and LTE
| Parameters of Comparison | 5G | LTE |
| Generation | Fifth-generation | Fourth generation |
| Radio Frequency | 30 GHz to 300 GHz | Up to 6 GHz |
| Download Speeds | Speed of around 1 to 20 Gbps | Range of 50 to 100 Mbps |
| Bandwidth | Around 30 GHz | Around 20 MHz |
| Latency | Less than 10 milliseconds | Around 50 milliseconds |
| Data Rate | About 10 Gbps | Downlink of 300 Mbps, Uplink of 75 Mbps |
| No. of Connected Devices | It can support 1 million devices per square kilometer. | It can support 250 devices per sector. |
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth-generation mobile network that is on its way to becoming the wireless standard on a global level. It has been designed to virtually connect everyone and every device. It delivers a higher multi-Gbps peak data speed, more reliability, increased availability, etc., which makes it the more attractive option for networks.
5G also gives you access to Virtual Reality and AR with more uniform and faster data rates. 5G is capable of achieving a peak data rate of around 10 Gbps. It also provides an option to expand into new spectrums like mmWave.
It has a bandwidth of around 20 GHz. It can support around 1 million connected devices per square kilometer. It also has ultra-low latency, less than 10 milliseconds. It has a massive network capacity and offers a minimum speed of around 1 to 20 Gbps.
It also has a 10-year battery life for low-power devices. 5G offers 100% area coverage for every device. 5G networks enable better ultra-low latency applications to be executed via multi-access computing (MEC).
Researchers discovered that the full economic impact of 5G will likely be realized across the globe by 2035, benefiting a large number of companies and potentially facilitating up to $13.1 trillion in products and services.
What is LTE?
LTE, short for Long-Term Evolution, is the fourth-generation standard for wireless networks. It offers an increased network capacity and data speed for devices when compared to their previous generations.
LTE played a significant role in the creation of the current 5G standard, known as 5G New Radio. To manage 5G data sessions, early 5G networks, known as non-standalone 5G, require a 4G LTE control plane.
LTE was developed by the third-generation partnership project and is very often marketed as 4G LTE. Its download speed can range from 50 to 100 Mbps. Its data rate is also great considering its 4-generation. It offers a downlink of 300 Mbps and an uplink of 75 Mbps.
For its downlink signal, an LTE network uses a multiuser form of the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation system known as orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). The uplink signal is transmitted using single-carrier FDMA, which decreases the transmit power required by the mobile terminal.
It can support around 750 devices per base station and an average of 250 devices per sector. Its radio frequency is up to 6 GHz. It has a bandwidth of around 20 MHz. Its latency is longer than 5G, coming in at around 50 milliseconds.
Main Differences Between 5G and LTE
- 5G has a radio frequency ranging from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, whereas LTE has a radio frequency of up to 6 GHz.
- 5G is of the fifth generation, whereas LTE is of the fourth generation.
- 5G offers a speed of around 1 Gbps to 20 Gbps, and LTW offers a speed of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- The bandwidth of 5G is around 30 GHz, and that of LTE is around 20 MHz
- The latency of 5G is extremely low as it’s less than 10 milliseconds, whereas the latency of LTE is slightly longer, coming in at around 50 milliseconds.
- The data rate of 5G is about 10 Gbps overall, and LTE offers a downlink of 300 Mbps and an uplink of about 75 Mbps.
- 5G can connect to 1 million devices per square Kilometer, and LTE can connect to 750 devices per base station and around 250 devices per sector.
Conclusion
While the fourth-generation LTE networks are being broadly used all over the world, the 5G network is the newer and more advanced version that will satisfy more needs and soon become the global standard.
5G is of fifth-generation, and LTE is of fourth-generation, which makes 5G the more evolved one. It has a radio frequency of 30 to 300GHz, and LTE offers up to 6 GHz. The bandwidth of 5G is around 30 GHz, and that of LTE is 20 MHz.
A major difference between them is in their latency. 5G has a way shorter latency period of fewer than 10 milliseconds. LTE offers a longer latency period of around 50 milliseconds. 5G is an evolutionary improvement that covers all problems of the fourth generation while providing various enhancements.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8485317/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7876975