How Are 4G and 5G Different? — VoltronAI

Author Adidas Wilson
5 min readApr 9, 2023

The development of wireless communication technology has played a significant role in shaping the way we live and work. As mobile networks have evolved from 1G to 5G, each generation has brought new capabilities, faster speeds, and improved efficiency. In this article, we will explore the differences between the fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) of mobile networks, including network architecture, speed, latency, capacity, and use cases.

Network Architecture

One of the primary differences between 4G and 5G lies in their network architectures, which ultimately impact the performance and capabilities of each technology.

a. 4G Network Architecture: The fourth generation of mobile networks is based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, which uses a combination of frequency-division duplexing (FDD) and time-division duplexing (TDD) to transmit data. This architecture relies on large, high-powered cell towers that cover wide areas, leading to potential limitations in capacity and signal strength, especially in densely populated or remote areas.

b. 5G Network Architecture: The fifth generation of mobile networks introduces a more flexible and efficient architecture. 5G employs a multi-layered approach that combines macro cells, small cells, and beamforming to improve network coverage and…

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Author Adidas Wilson

Adidas Wilson was born in Chicago, surviving a near death experience driving off a bridge in an 18 wheeler and getting hit by a train. Author and Motivator