The difference between 4G & 5G router

4G, 5G, LTE Routers – Both 4G long term evolution (LTE) routers and 5G routers enable devices to connect to cellular networks, but they’re designed for different generations of mobile network technology. What are the differences for them?

What is a 4G LTE router?

4G LTE routers connect to 4th generation LTE networks. 4G stands for the fourth generation of mobile network technology, succeeding 3G.

What is a 5G cellular router?

As the successors of 4G LTE, 5G routers connect to the 5th generation technology standard for wireless networks. The term LTE is mainly associated with 4G, while 5G is simply referred to as 5G, without an LTE associated with it. Cellular 5G networks open up new opportunities for higher speeds and lower latencies for everything from mission-critical services to enhanced enterprise networks and IoT. 5G cellular routers capitalize on these opportunities.

Is the technology between 4G LTE and 5G different?

One of the major differences between 4G LTE and 5G cellular routers are the frequency bands used by each. Frequency bands refer to the range or interval of radio frequencies used to transmit a signal for Internet connectivity. 

4G LTE routers use frequencies below 6 GHz, often referred to as sub-6. 5G routers are more flexible than 4G LTE, since they can use low-band frequencies below 6 GHz for long-distance communication and also high-band mmWave frequencies starting at 24 GHz and above. These high-band frequencies offer significant advantages like a rapid increase in speed, ultra-low latency (responsiveness), and more bandwidth (the ability to connect a lot more devices at once).

What are sub-6 and mmWave frequency bands?

The bandwidth of Millimeter waves, also known as mmWave, are frequency bands higher than 24 GHz. Their bandwidths are extremely high, but transmission distances are short. With support from foundation technologies like Small Cell and Massive MIMO, mmWave can overcome short travel distances and obstructions that impair connectivity.

Sub-6 refers to frequency bands under 6 GHz, which includes most LTE bands. Sub-6 bands have similar transmission distances and bandwidths as their LTEA counterparts (LTE-A is an enhancement of LTE), but offer comparatively faster speed and capacity than LTE networks.

What is the speed for 5G and 4G LTE?

4G LTE typically offers peak data rates of 1 Gbps (1 gigabyte per second), though real-world speeds depend on factors like network congestion and signal strength, among other things.

5G networks can offer peak data rates of up to 20 Gbps (20 gigabytes per second). Even in real-world scenarios, 5G can delivers faster speeds than 4G, especially on networks using higher frequency bands like millimeter waves.

What is the latency difference between 4G LTE and 5G?  

The typical latency on a 4G network is around 30-50 milliseconds.

Latency on 5G can be as low as 1 millisecond under specific conditions.

What about device design and chip sets?

4G wireless routers use 4G modem chipsets, while 5G routers use 5G modem chipsets. 5G chipsets are more complex, as they support a broader range of frequencies and technologies. 

Are there suitable 5G routers for IoT?

Now there are many 5G routers in market, and you can have a quick view for e-lins.com or szelins.com, their 5G routers is stable with reasonable price. You can choose single sim or dual sim according to your cases.

For more information, please visit E-Lins Technology!

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