5G vs. 4G: An overview of the most important differences

What is 4G?

4G (fourth generation), also known as LTE (Long Term Evolution), is the successor to third-generation mobile communications (3G). 4G enables significantly faster data transmission than its predecessor. With the introduction in 2010, 4G brought about a breakthrough in fast, mobile Internet

How does 4G work?

4G works by combining modern radio and network technologies to provide fast and stable mobile Internet. It uses different frequency ranges (e.g., 800 MHz, 1.8–2.6 GHz), which means that range and speed vary depending on the application.

With OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), data packets are transmitted in parallel across multiple channels, which increases efficiency. MIMO antenna technology enables multiple data streams simultaneously, resulting in significantly higher transmission rates. In addition, 4G is completely IP-based, meaning that voice, data, and multimedia run over the Internet Protocol. The result: high speeds, low latency, and reliable connections for consumers and businesses.

What is 5G?

5G, the fifth generation of mobile communications, is currently the latest mobile communications standard and the successor to 4G. 5G offers data transmission speeds up to 10 times faster than LTE. Vast amounts of data are transported almost in real time. Many more devices can be connected to a radio cell. It will be introduced in 2019, but only by 2023 will approximately 90% of Germany be connected to 5G via a mobile communications provider. The new generation of mobile communications is intended to drive forward digitalization in Germany.

How does 5G work?

Essentially, the fifth generation of mobile communications is not a new technology, as 5G transmits data in the same way as 4G, that is, predominantly in the same frequency ranges. 4G uses frequency bands from a few hundred megahertz to around 2.6 gigahertz, whereas 5G uses even higher frequency bands (high-band frequencies) in addition to these frequency bands.

4G vs. 5G in direct comparison

5G is significantly faster than 4G. But more importantly, 5G has extremely low latency and, unlike 4G, can serve significantly more devices simultaneously. The fourth generation of mobile communications paved the way for mobile Internet, making video streaming and the use of social media, for example, possible on the go.
But 5G also opens up further future technologies, such as Industry 4.0, smart cities, virtual reality, and telemedicine. With 5G, applications and technologies become possible that would have been unthinkable with 4G.

The differences between 4G and 5G in brief:

Speeds

4G and 5G differ in particular in terms of speed and response time. In theory, 5G is up to 10 times faster than 4G. However, the actual speed achieved depends on a number of factors, including network expansion, coverage, and device availability.

4G, LTE-Advanced speeds

4G or LTE speeds vary greatly depending on the tariff, provider, and network coverage. Theoretically, speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s are possible. In reality, however, download speeds are usually only between 21.6 and 300 Mbit/s. Speeds can be higher in larger cities.

5G speeds

Here, too, there can be significant variations depending on location, network coverage, user traffic, provider, and tariff. When 5G was introduced in 2019, the promises and announcements were still big, but here, too, theory and practice do not exactly match. Speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s would be entirely achievable with 5G, but in practice, speeds above 500 Mbit/s are rarely reached at present. This means that 5G is not much better than its predecessor, 4G. However, the most important improvement is the reduced latency, which has greatly reduced delays in data transmission.

Frequencies

In Germany, the radio spectrum is managed by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). It allocates the available frequencies to various services—alarm/monitoring/location, broadcasting, mobile communications/Wi-Fi, microphones, etc. Certain ranges are subject to licensing and are allocated via auctions, while other ranges, such as the ISM bands at 2.4 and 5 GHz, are freely available for use. The frequency plan regulates distribution to ensure interference-free use. Frequencies are therefore a key resource for communication, security, and digital innovation.

What does frequency mean?

The physical meaning of frequency is the number of oscillations per second. Sound can be used as an example of this. The unit of measurement is given in hertz (Hz).

• 1 Hz = 1 oscillation per second

The faster a particle oscillates, the higher the frequency. Radio waves for radio, Wi-Fi, and mobile communications use frequencies ranging from kilohertz (kHz) to gigahertz (GHz).

Frequency 4G

The common 4G frequencies are 800 MHz (band 20), 1800 MHz (band 3), and 2600 MHz (band 7). These frequencies offer different ranges and are suitable for different application scenarios.

• 800 MHz is mainly used for wide coverage and is suitable for rural areas.
• 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz, on the other hand, are used in cities, where higher capacities are required due to the higher population density.

In addition, 700 MHz and 2100 MHz are used for LTE. These are also relevant for 5G, as there is considerable overlap between the frequencies used.

Frequency 5G

5G basically uses all typical 4G bands plus one or two new bands. The common 5G frequencies in Germany are:

• 700 MHz (band 28)
• 1800 MHz (band 3)
• 2100 MHz (band 1)
• 3600 MHz  (band 43)
• and other frequencies.

The frequencies 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz are also used for LTE.

5G is currently based mainly on existing LTE networks, meaning that it does not function “independently” but builds on existing LTE technologies. Read more about this in our blog post 5G Standalone vs. 5G Non-Standalone.

5G can be divided into three frequency ranges:

1. Low band (below 1 GHz): Long range, low data rates
2. Mid band (1-6 GHz): Good mix of range and data rate
3. High band (mmWave, above 24 GHz): Very short range, but very high data rate

By using a broader range of frequencies, 5G can better achieve performance goals according to specific needs

Latency times

Latency times play a major role in modern communication and IT systems. This is particularly true in times when growing data volumes and real-time requirements are becoming increasingly important. Everyday examples of low latency times include online gaming and video streaming. Lower latency times are also becoming increasingly important for industrial applications, as they are crucial for automation. For end users, latency affects the perceived quality of the mobile Internet connection. Low latency can therefore be associated with efficiency, a good user experience, and reliability, whereas high latency is associated with frustration, errors, and performance losses.

What does latency mean?

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from its source to its destination. Alongside data transfer rate, it is an important quality indicator for any data connection. In packet-oriented data networks such as IP-based mobile networks, latency is often determined by the packet round-trip time. This is the time that elapses until the response packet arrives after a data packet has been sent. The packet round-trip time includes the latency times of the outward and return journeys as well as the processing time of the packet in the destination system. An alternative term for packet round-trip time is round trip time (RTT). For IP-based networks, the ping command is available to measure the round trip time.

Influencing factors

Numerous factors influence the latency of a data connection. These influencing factors include the physical propagation speed of the signal (for example, in a cable, in an optical fiber, or in a radio frequency band), the type of packetization, the runtime of the data packet, the temporary storage of the data packet, the processing of the protocol headers in the network nodes involved in the data transmission, the error checking of the data packet, possible congestion on sections of the route, the properties of the transmission protocol used, and many more.

Which applications require low latency?

While latency of up to several hundred milliseconds is acceptable for file downloads or voice connections, other applications require significantly lower latency. These include real-time applications such as autonomous driving, networked machines and Industry 4.0 processes, virtual and augmented reality, and medical technology applications. A self-driving, connected vehicle, for example, expects an immediate response to a data packet it has sent. Only then can it react correctly to a detected traffic situation within a reasonable time.

Typical latencies in LTE and 5G mobile networks

4G (LTE):

• Typical: 30–50 milliseconds (ms)
• Optimized (LTE-Advanced): ~20 ms

Applications:

• Mobile Internet use: surfing, social media, video streaming (HD)
• Video telephony: stable, but sometimes with delays
• Navigation & location-based services
  Mobile hotspots

5G

• Typical: 10–20 ms
• Ideal (ultra-reliable low-latency communications, URLLC): 1–5 ms

This means that 5G can transmit data practically in real time.

Applications:

• Industry 4.0: Real-time control of machines and robots
• Autonomous driving & transportation systems: Communication between vehicles and infrastructure
• Medicine: Tele-surgery, remote monitoring with real-time data
• Virtual & augmented reality: Immersive applications without perceptible delay
• Smart cities & IoT: Networking of millions of sensors and devices

Mobile coverage

Mobile coverage determines how reliably users can use mobile Internet. Stable mobile coverage forms the basis for communication, digital applications, and modern industrial processes. Coverage depends on various factors, such as transmission power, frequency range, and structural obstacles. High frequencies can enable faster data rates, but have only a short range. Low frequencies, on the other hand, have a much greater range, but a lower data rate.

Radio frequency as a key factor influencing range

Before we look specifically at the ranges of 5G and LTE networks, let’s first briefly discuss how range depends on the radio frequency used. The basic principle is that the higher the radio frequency and the shorter the wavelength, the lower the achievable range. Low radio frequencies with long wavelengths propagate over greater distances and penetrate objects such as walls more easily. At the same time, however, the achievable data transfer rates decrease as the wavelength increases. There is a conflict in the use of frequency bands for mobile networks: either low frequencies with long range and low data rates (few base stations are necessary) or high frequencies with short range and high data rates (many base stations are necessary).

4G coverage

LTE networks transmit on different frequencies, which you can read about in this chapter. LTE achieves the greatest coverage at 800 MHz. This is approximately 10 to 15 kilometers. This frequency band is therefore preferred for providing coverage in rural areas. LTE radio stations with frequencies of 2,100 MHz or 2,600 MHz usually reach their maximum range after a maximum of two to three kilometers. Network operators prefer to use these frequencies in cities. A high radio cell density is necessary there, as many people need to be supplied with mobile communications.

5G coverage

The coverage of 5G depends heavily on the frequencies used. While low frequency bands (below 1 GHz) cover large areas and are suitable for rural regions, medium bands (e.g., 3.6 GHz) are ideal for cities with high data traffic. High-frequency millimeter waves enable extremely fast data rates, but have a very short range and require many small radio cells. To ensure comprehensive 5G coverage, network operators are therefore relying on a combination of all frequency ranges.

Data transfer rates

The introduction of 5G has fundamentally changed mobile data transmission. While 4G enables data rates of up to 1 Gbit/s under ideal conditions, 5G theoretically achieves up to 10 Gbit/s and more. This means a drastic reduction in download and upload times and a significant improvement in applications that require high bandwidths, such as streaming in 8K, virtual reality, or industrial automation. The difference between 4G and 5G thus marks a decisive technological leap in mobile communications development.

Network infrastructure

The network infrastructure of 5G differs fundamentally from that of 4G. While 4G relies primarily on large macrocells, 5G uses a denser network of small cells and microcells to achieve high data rates and low latencies. In addition, technologies such as network slicing and massive MIMO (MIMO stands for multiple input, multiple output and describes a radio technology that uses multiple transmitting and receiving antennas simultaneously) are used to enable flexible bandwidth usage and parallel services. 4G networks are primarily designed for mobile broadband use, while 5G creates a platform for connected devices, industrial applications, and autonomous systems.

Advantages and disadvantages of 4G and 5G

The advantages and disadvantages of 4G

The advantages and disadvantages of 5G

Outlook for the future: Will 5G replace 4G?

5G will bridge the gap for the next wave of innovation

5G started as a supplement to 4G. Many network operators now run 4G and 5G in parallel, with 4G providing the basic network for coverage and 5G being used for high-performance applications in cities and industrial environments. As expansion progresses, 5G is evolving from a supplementary network to a primary network and will gradually replace 4G.

Reasons for the continued use of 4G

• Coverage: 4G is available almost everywhere worldwide, while 5G is still being rolled out.
• Costs: The nationwide expansion of 5G infrastructure is expensive, but will continue to be pursued.
• Stability: 4G is considered robust and will continue to play a role as a “fallback network” for some time to come.

Development perspective

• Short term: Coexistence of 4G and 5G; 4G currently remains the backbone of basic service provision.
• Mittelfristig: 5G wird zunehmend dominieren, speziell in urbanen Räumen, Industrie und bei IoT-Anwendungen.
• Langfristig: 5G wird 4G voraussichtlich ablösen – ähnlich wie 4G zuvor 3G verdrängt hat.

Conclusion

5G will replace 4G in the long term. For the next few years, both technologies will run hand in hand to combine availability and performance. However, the expansion of 5G is progressing, which means that 5G will be the driving force behind digital transformations in the future. The extent to which 4G will still exist and for how long is currently impossible to predict.