However, it is still in its early stages, and many of us are still relying on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. LTE is a wireless communication standard that was first launched in 2009. Like 5G, LTE took several years to become part of national internet infrastructures. Currently, only a few areas in the UK and other developed countries lack LTE service.
More importantly, the reliability and stability of LTE have proven to be enough to force many people to question whether they need to switch to 5G.
What are the differences between 4G LTE and 5G?
The LTE standard, designed by the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R) regulatory body, marks a step towards 4G speeds. This is partly because much of the infrastructure deployed by telecom companies does not meet the thresholds required to be labeled 4G.
In theory, 4G LTE can achieve download speeds of up to 150Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50Mbps. These figures will vary depending on location, deployment, and the number of users. Taking these factors into account, they roughly translate to actual download speeds of 20Mbps and upload speeds of 10Mbps.
As the fifth generation of mobile connectivity, 5G offers a theoretical maximum speed of up to 10Gbps. Even at more realistic speeds, 5G definitely outperforms 4G LTE; we recently tested Vodafone's 5G network, and its average download speeds were between 100Mbps and 150Mbps.
5G achieves this by using a different spectrum than 4G, specifically the high-frequency millimeter wave band, which supports more bandwidth than the low-frequency band used by LTE, and therefore can transmit more data.
5G can also use frequency bands below 6 GHz but above low-frequency bands, but these bands cannot support the maximum speeds promised by 5G. However, these speeds will still outperform LTE, and "sub-6" can even enhance 5G coverage, as millimeter wave frequencies can be obstructed by walls and other obstacles.
In short, 5G uses a different spectrum suite than 4G LTE, enabling it to offer better connection speeds, greater capacity to handle higher traffic volumes, and latency as low as 1 millisecond.
However, the rollout of 5G is still in its early stages. Coverage remains quite limited, and much work remains to be done before networks like EE, Three, and Vodafone begin to deliver on the promises of 5G on the upper layers.
Should you choose LTE or 5G?
While the speed of 5G might make you wonder why we're even comparing the two, the answer to that question actually depends on your location, budget, and whether you're using it for business or personal needs.
As more countries expand their 5G infrastructure, we are seeing more 5G-enabled hardware options on the market, so you need to investigate the available hardware in your country and whether they meet your needs and price range.
One of the best 5G devices on the market is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which, like the Galaxy S20 Ultra, doesn't offer a 4G version. Retailing at £1,149, it's definitely on the most expensive end, but you can get the "new product" on EE with an ultra-energy-efficient 4GB plan for £50/month or the other end plan for £74/month with 100GB.
One of the most affordable options is the Oppo A54, priced at £220, but this device offers more storage (64GB only) and a better macro camera.
The growth of 5G-enabled devices over the past few years has intensified competition and begun to drive down prices, but it may be too early to adopt 5G over LTE. As competition intensifies further, there will undoubtedly be more attractive services, plans, and storage options. With the expansion of 5G coverage, you can also connect more consistently to millimeter-wave-based networks to deliver the promise of high-speed 5G without interruption.
Therefore, in conclusion, unless you or your business have enough money to burn and don't want to wait for improvements in overall coverage, pricing, and plans, it's best to wait and see what the future holds for 5G. With rapid development and price drops since 2019, you probably won't have to wait much longer.
However, if you're a business that heavily relies on connected sensors and similar IoT networks, 5G's bandwidth and low latency cannot be ignored. 5G has long been touted as a communication technology that will enable self-driving cars to navigate with ease and allow businesses to deploy large networks of smart sensors and devices in ever-innovating ways.
We have seen demonstrations of how 5G-connected cameras can provide 4K resolution salmon video for high-fidelity real-time monitoring in offshore fish farms.
health issues
Mobile phones have long been a source of health problems, but arguably few networks have been as infamous as 5G.
In October 2019, Brighton and Hove City Councils joined Glastonbury, Fromm, and Tottenham in banning the installation of new 5G base stations. Opposition to 5G isn't limited to the UK; it's part of a larger trend of distrust (and misinformation). Two years earlier, 180 scientists from 36 countries publicly called on the EU to halt 5G expansion until a more comprehensive investigation into its impact on human health could be conducted.
So, what are the downsides of 5G?
Both 4G and 5G use "radio waves," but the main difference is that 5G uses higher frequencies than 4G. Higher frequency waves provide better network capacity and speed. However, studies on the health risks associated with 5G have failed to find any specific, real 5G hazards.
The Future of LTE and 5G
As mentioned earlier, the future of 5G lies in its expanded deployment and the introduction of more 5G-enabled devices; Qualcomm stated at IFA 2019 in Berlin that it will push its 5G modem technology to mid-range and low-end chips, paving the way for device manufacturers to integrate 5G connectivity into affordable hardware.
5G's potential to enhance existing technologies and lead to more innovative connected systems and potentially society-changing machines, such as self-driving cars, will only grow.
Meanwhile, LTE will continue to exist and be supported, although over time, telecom companies will likely eventually shut down 4G LTE networks, just as the UK is currently phasing out 2G.
Before 6G, 5G was the future of telecommunications. But for most people, now may not be the best time to join the 5G trend.
