
Millimeter wave technology supports speeds of up to 20 Gbps. This is because millimeter wave technology uses high-frequency radio waves to provide faster data transfer rates.
The 5G NR (New Radio) standard, which is used in millimeter wave technology, is designed to support speeds of up to 20 Gbps. This is a significant increase from the speeds offered by 4G LTE.
Millimeter wave technology is also used in the 5G network architecture, which is designed to provide fast and reliable data transfer.
What is 5G?
5G technology has a theoretical peak speed of 20 Gbps, a significant improvement over the 1 Gbps peak speed of 4G.
5G promises lower latency, which can improve the performance of business applications and other digital experiences like online gaming, videoconferencing, and self-driving cars.
5G networks are virtualized and software-driven, exploiting cloud technologies to deliver connected experiences from the cloud to clients.
The 5G network will simplify mobility with seamless open roaming capabilities between cellular and Wi-Fi access.
Mobile users can stay connected as they move between outdoor wireless connections and wireless networks inside buildings without user intervention or the need to reauthenticate.
5G technology will improve connectivity in underserved rural areas and in cities where demand can outstrip today's capacity with 4G technology.
New 5G networks will have a dense, distributed-access architecture and move data processing closer to the edge and the users to enable faster data processing.
Speed
5G technology is capable of delivering significantly faster data rates than 4G, with peak data rates of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps). This is a game-changer for anyone who's ever waited for a large file to download.
The average 5G download speeds have been recorded at 186.3 Mbit/s in the U.S. by T-Mobile, while South Korea leads globally with average speeds of 432 megabits per second (Mbps). To put that into perspective, 5G is approximately 10 times faster than 4G.
5G networks are also designed to provide significantly more capacity than 4G networks, with a projected 100-fold increase in network capacity and efficiency. This means you can enjoy faster speeds and lower latency without any issues.
The most widely used form of 5G, sub-6 GHz 5G (mid-band), is capable of delivering data rates ranging from 10 to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps). This makes it a great option for areas with a moderate number of users.
Low-band frequencies (such as n5) offer a greater coverage area for a given cell, but their data rates are lower than those of mid and high bands in the range of 5–250 megabits per second (Mbps).
Here's a comparison of 4G and 5G speeds:
As you can see, 5G is significantly faster than 4G. With 5G, you can achieve speeds of up to 20 Gbps under optimal conditions. Even in real-world settings, 5G networks still consistently outperform 4G LTE by delivering speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster.
5G NR
5G NR is the air interface defined by 3GPP for 5G, and it's subdivided into two frequency bands: FR1 (below 6 GHz) and FR2 (24–54 GHz). This specification is a crucial part of what makes 5G possible.
FR1 and FR2 are the two frequency bands that make up 5G NR. FR1 is used for lower frequency signals, while FR2 is used for higher frequency signals. Some parties refer to the higher part of this frequency range as "mid-band" frequency.
The mid-band frequency range is a key part of 5G NR, offering a balance between coverage and speed. This range is often used in deployments where high speeds are needed, but the range of the signal is also important.
In contrast, high-band 5G (also known as millimeter wave) offers blazing-fast speeds, but its range is more limited. This is where small cells come in – mini base stations placed in high-density areas to boost coverage and performance.
Here's a comparison of 4G LTE and 5G NR:
As you can see, 5G NR offers significantly faster speeds and lower latency than 4G LTE. This makes it ideal for applications that require high-speed data transfer, such as streaming video and online gaming.
Comparison with 4G and LTE
4G LTE was introduced as the standard for mobile broadband after 3G, bringing major improvements in speeds and latency. It offers download speeds of around 100 Mbps and can reach up to 1 Gbps in ideal conditions.
In comparison, 5G networks take things to a whole new level, designed to handle far more devices with speeds up to 20 Gbps. That's nearly 20 times faster than 4G LTE, and with 5G, you're looking at latency as low as 1 millisecond, compared to 30-70 ms for 4G.
Here's a quick comparison of the two technologies:
4G, LTE, 5G Comparison
4G, LTE, and 5G are three different generations of mobile network technology. 4G LTE was introduced as the standard for mobile broadband after 3G, bringing major improvements in speeds and latency.
4G LTE networks offer download speeds of around 100 Mbps and can reach up to 1 Gbps in ideal conditions. This means you can stream videos and use data-heavy apps with relative ease.
5G networks take things to a whole new level, designed to handle far more devices with speeds up to 20 Gbps. That's nearly 20 times faster than 4G LTE, and with 5G, you're looking at latency as low as 1 millisecond, compared to 30-70 ms for 4G.
High-band 5G offers blazing-fast speeds, but its range is more limited. This is where small cells come in – mini base stations placed in high-density areas to boost coverage and performance.
Here's a comparison of the three technologies:
Mid-band 5G balances coverage and speed, making it a sweet spot for many deployments. With 5G, you can download an HD movie in seconds or experience virtually no lag during real-time activities like online gaming or video conferencing.
4G vs. LTE vs. 5G: The Bottom Line
LTE represents a significant leap over previous generations of mobile network technology, offering faster speeds and lower latency compared to 4G.
The key difference between 4G and LTE is that LTE is a subset of 4G, but with even faster speeds and lower latency. This makes LTE a more efficient and reliable option for mobile connectivity.
5G is a whole new ballgame, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and the capacity to support a vastly higher number of connected devices. This feature makes 5G essential for the future of mobile connectivity and emerging tech.
Understanding the key differences between 4G, LTE, and 5G is crucial for anyone curious about the future of networks or preparing for the 5G revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cellular network type can theoretically provide speeds up to 10gbps?
5G is the cellular network type that can theoretically provide speeds up to 10 Gbps, making it ideal for high-bandwidth applications
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5G
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cartisien-interactive_exploring-cellular-technology-which-supports-activity-7239606956221476864-CDYT
- https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/what-is-5g.html
- https://www.studyfetch.com/questions/engineering/5g-cellular-technology-offers-the-promise-of-download-speeds-as-high-as-20-gbps-this-will-likely-req
- https://www.taoglas.com/blogs/4g-vs-lte-vs-5g-key-differences-in-network-capabilities-and-performance/
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