From 4G to 5G: Top 10 Changes in IoT Connectivity and Performance

5G Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the transformation from 4G to 5G is vital for the Internet of Things. This transition improves daily communication and completely transforms gadgets’ functioning in a connected world. As a result of the brisk expansion of 5G technology by telecommunications service providers (CSPs) and the growing accessibility and affordability of 5 G-enabled handsets, it is projected that the total number of mobile subscriptions (including 5g, 4g, etc.) in India, Nepal, and Bhutan will hit 1.3 billion by 2028. This means that around 53% of all mobile phone plans will be on 5G networks.

Figure 1:  5G Subscriptions, in Millions, North America, 2021 to 2022

5G subscriptions

Source: Ericsson

Further, the shift from 4G to 5G has brought numerous improvements that greatly improve IoT performance and connectivity. A total transformation of how things talk and work connected to internet-connected devices will be seen with the arrival of 5G Technology. The effects will include low latency, high data speeds, advanced security features, etc. Lastly, these transformations give rise to unlimited possibilities, promoting innovativeness and productivity across different sectors, ushering us into an age characterized by greater intelligence via connectivity.

Here are the top 10 changes in IoT connectivity and performance with the transition from 4G to 5G:

Top 10 Changes

  • Faster Data Speed
  • Lower Latency
  • Increased Device Density
  • Enhanced Network Reliability
  • Improved Energy Efficiency
  • Advanced Network Slicing
  • Enhanced Security
  • Better Mobility Support
  • Massive MIMO Technology
  • Integration with Edge Computing

Let’s discuss each one in detail.

1. Faster Data Speed

5G networks enable streaming media transmission rates of as much as 1000 times faster than those of 4G networks, which can only manage a maximum transmission speed of 1 Gbps compared to 10 Gbps. With this surge in velocity, Internet of Things (IoT) appliances can exchange data more or less on the spot, thus opening doors for real-time uses like smart cities and autonomous vehicles.

2. Lower Latency

Latency refers to the duration of data transmission from its source to its destination, and 5G significantly minimizes it. The latency of 5G networks is only about 1 millisecond. Moreover, 4G networks have a latency of around 50 milliseconds. Such ultra-low latency is critical for applications like remote surgery and industrial automation, which require immediate response.

3. Increased Device Density

In dense urban areas with high numbers of IoT devices, 4G networks support only about 10,000 devices per square kilometre. 5G networks can accommodate up to one million devices per square kilometre, thus ensuring seamless connectivity for wearing gadgets and smart households, among other IoT applications.

4. Enhanced Network Reliability

5G ensures that the network connections are more reliable, which leads to fewer downtimes and increases the overall satisfaction of the users. This degree of reliability is vital for critical IoT applications such as emergency response technologies or health monitoring since they require a constant connection for life to continue.

5. Improved Energy Efficiency

5G networks are designed to be more energy-efficient than their 4G counterparts. With lower power consumption in IoT devices, this efficiency results in longer battery life for IoTs and increased chances of sustainable establishment. This encouragement is very important, particularly when it is difficult to change batteries for wearables and remote sensors.

6. Advanced Network Slicing

Network slicing is unique to 5G, and networking operators can create many virtual networks in one physical 5G network. One slice could be for fast response time applications, and another for high-definition video streaming needs wider channels. Thus, multiple IoTs can run simultaneously in this way.

7. Enhanced Security

5G uses complex protection methods to protect data travelling over networks. Ensuring safe data exchange and privacy is crucial as more Internet of Things devices are in circulation. With its robust encryption and authentication mechanisms, sensitive data remains immune from cyber-attacks on compromised IoT networks.

8. Better Mobility Support

No other technology can compete with the speed, reliability, or latency of 5G, which is why it expands IoT device opportunities in rapidly changing situations. This allows for real-time information transfer and processing through large bandwidths and lower latency in 5G networks. An example of this could be when dealing with self-driving cars whose operations require promptness and dependability, hence the need for fast communication links. Moreover, enhanced mobility systems included in 5G networks will ensure that IoT devices remain connected without interruption while they are moving around between cell towers, enabling more seamless handover processes. This allows for complex, multifunctional IoT applications that encourage smart cities, medical care, and industrial automation.

9. Massive MIMO Technology

Massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology significantly accelerates the performance and connectivity of the Internet of Things, thus marking a great progression from 4G to 5G networks. Similar to how it was utilized in 4G networks through multiple transmitters’ or receiver’s antennas for increased data rates and reliability of signals, it remains a key component of MIMO. This is the basis for massive MIMOs that are used beyond 4G or 5G systems and which include, among other things, hundreds or even thousands of antennas. The increase in antenna numbers by several orders of magnitude makes it possible to communicate with many devices simultaneously. This greatly boosts network capacity as well as efficiency. Further, it provides higher signal strength with less interference via beamforming, a major aspect of massive MIMO that directs energy exactly where needed. This results in faster connections as well as higher reliability.

10. Integration with Edge Computing

As the transition happens from 4G to 5G, data communication and IoT performance rely heavily on edge computing. Therefore, to enhance IoT under 5G, edge computing significantly reduces latency, which is essential for real-time applications such as automated factories, self-driving vehicles, and smart cities, among others. For 5G, edge computing allows data processing near the source of data generation, unlike 4G, where information is normally processed in centralized cloud servers. This decentralization reduces the round trip time of sending and receiving messages, and as a result, quicker response times are experienced. Furthermore, by offloading data processing from main networks to make them less congested, this form of computing on the edge also supports large-scale deployments of the IoTs due to its reliability and scalability.