Understanding 4G: Features, Network Standards, and Introduction

The Advent of 4G

The world was first introduced to the fourth generation of mobile technology, 4G, in 2010 to cater to the growing need for faster speeds and better connectivity. Airtel was the pioneer in launching 4G services using TD-LTE technology in Kolkata in 2012. This was followed by the launch of 4G in other cities like Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. Subsequently, other companies like Aircel, Vodafone, and RJIO also launched their 4G services in India.

Key Features of 4G

4G comes with several impressive features, including:

• High-speed downloads and uploads
• Exceptional voice quality
• Easy access to Internet, IM, social networks, streaming media, video calling
• Increased bandwidth
• Significantly faster than 3G

Network Standards of 4G

There are several 4G mobile technology standards that different cellular providers use to meet the 4G requirements. These include:

1. LTE (pre – 4G)
2. LTE-Advanced
3. WiMAX
4. Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB)

Note: LTE stands for Long Term Evolution.

Classification of Mobile Communication Technologies

Mobile communication technologies are classified into different generations, such as 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and the upcoming 5G, based on the architecture of the mobile network. The architecture of the mobile network has seen rapid evolution over the past few decades.

4G vs. 5G: The Differences

Some of the key differences between 4G and 5G networks include:

1. 5G provides improved network coverage compared to 4G.
2. The data bandwidth of 5G is above 1gbps, while 4G ranges from 2mbps to 1gbps.
3. 5G has lower latency than 4G.

Advantages of 5G Network

The 5G network comes with its own set of advantages, including:

• Faster upload and download speeds
• High data speed beneficial for cloud systems
• Facilitates IoT and Machine to Machine (M2M) communications
• Supports future devices like connected vehicles and the Internet of Things