4G, 5G, and 6G are generations of cellular network technology. Each generation brings improvements in various aspects, such as speed, capacity, and latency.
4G, or fourth generation, is the current standard for cellular networks. It offers significantly faster data speeds than previous generations and can support high-definition video streaming, online gaming, and other data-intensive activities. 4G networks also have a larger capacity, meaning they can support more users and devices at once.
5G, or fifth generation, is the next generation of cellular network technology. It offers even faster data speeds than 4G, with theoretical speeds up to 100 times faster. This means it can handle even more data-intensive activities such as virtual reality, ultra-high-definition video streaming, and IoT devices. 5G also has a lower latency, which means it can respond faster to requests, making it suitable for real-time applications such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation and more.
6G is the next after 5G, it’s in the research and development phase, it’s expected to offer even faster data speeds, higher reliability, more energy efficiency, more security and privacy, and support for more complex and diverse services, such as holographic communications, advanced virtual and augmented reality, and ultra-low latency applications.
It’s worth noting that the deployment of each generation of cellular network technology takes time, and not all areas will have access to 5G or 6G immediately after their launch.
Bandwidth of 4G and 5G and 6G?
The bandwidth of cellular network technology refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over the network at a given time. The bandwidth of a network is typically measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).
4G networks typically have a bandwidth of around 20 MHz to 40 MHz, although some 4G networks can use up to 100 MHz of bandwidth.
5G networks have a much wider range of bandwidth than 4G, it could vary from low-band, mid-band and high-band.
- Low-band 5G uses frequencies around 600 MHz, which can travel long distances and penetrate buildings, but it’s slower than other types of 5G.
- Mid-band 5G uses frequencies around 2.5-4GHz. This is faster than low-band 5G, but it’s not as fast as high-band 5G.
- High-band 5G, also known as millimeter-wave 5G, uses frequencies around 24-39GHz, it’s the fastest type of 5G, but it’s harder for the signals to travel long distances or penetrate buildings.
6G is still in the research and development phase, it’s expected to use a wide range of frequency bands, including terahertz frequencies, which could potentially offer a bandwidth of multiple terabits per second. It’s worth noting that 6G is still in research phase, and the exact bandwidth and frequency range of 6G is yet to be determined.