Difference between 3G and 4G Networks

 You've most likely heard a lot about 4G. It's the current mobile network standard (until 5G arrives) and can have a significant impact on your phone's download speeds. But do you really require it? What distinguishes it from the older 3G? And, if you intend to use it, what handset do you require?

What are 3G and 4G?

Both 3G and 4G networks connect your phone to the internet. Each "G" stands for generation. Whereas 3G stands for 'third generation,' 4G stands for 'fourth generation.' As with most technological things, the higher the number, the newer, better version of a particular technology.

So, what's the difference? Obviously, there are some technical differences, but from the standpoint of the user, it's pretty straightforward. 4G technology is faster.

How much faster is 4G?

In real-world use, 4G is frequently up to ten times faster than 3G, with typical speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 50Mbps (which is really fast). New 4G technologies, such as "Carrier Aggregation," which allows your smartphone to connect to multiple cellular frequencies at the same time, may offer even faster speeds in some areas. In Sydney's CBD, if your phone supports it, you could get speeds of up to 450Mbps per second. That's nearly five times faster than the NBN.

This speed, however, will vary depending on how far you are from a network tower and the power of the radios inside your phone. Typically, the best 4G coverage is found in metro CBDs, with weaker 4G signals as you leave these densely populated areas.

As you can see, the difference between 3G and 4G speeds becomes more noticeable as file sizes grow larger. This is due, in part, to one of the minor differences between the two: 3G speeds ramp up over time, whereas 4G speeds remain consistently fast from start to finish.

Which is better for you?

In most cases, you won't have to make this decision. All of Australia's major telco providers, as well as the vast majority of smaller providers, provide 4G services, and if you own a compatible phone, you will automatically connect to these networks. If you have a compatible device, you will never have to choose between 4G and 3G networks: your phone will always connect to the best network available.

4G is the faster and thus superior of the two technologies. And not just a little faster; our testing has revealed real-world examples of 4G speeds that are up to ten times faster than 3G, if not more.

However, as our table above shows, those faster speeds will be most noticeable for high-intensity use, such as large downloads. When you have a strong network connection and mostly use your phone to browse Facebook, download emails, and watch YouTube videos, you may not notice the difference between 3G and 4G.

On the other hand, there is no disadvantage to using 4G instead of 3G, except that it consumes slightly more of your phone's battery. And you might use up your data cap a little faster, especially if you're tethering a lot.

What handset do I need to get 4G?

Most phones nowadays are broadband. All of the latest and greatest handsets, as well as the majority of the less expensive ones, are available. Basically, unless you buy a phone for less than $100, you're almost certainly going to get a 4G device. If you're looking to buy a phone for less than $100 and 4G is important to you, double-check the specs before you buy.

Why do mobile networks still use 3G?

This is an excellent question. Why do 3G networks exist if 4G is so much faster and capable of so much more?

These older networks are still an important part of the overall mobile network, providing critical support to 4G networks and acting as bridges between major cities. Many less populous areas of Australia rely on 3G for backbone coverage, though we're seeing more and more 4G in regional areas.

What about 5G?

5G is the next major advancement in mobile network technology, and the first 5G-enabled devices will be available this year. 5G and 4G before it, is primarily concerned with mobile data. 5G promises three significant improvements:

-Faster network speeds: 5G networks will be able to support download speeds of up to 20Gbps. Individual speeds will vary depending on a variety of factors, but the 5G specification states that individual users should see minimum download speeds of 100Mbps. That is the fastest commercially available NBN speed, and it is only the bare minimum of 5G.

-Lower latency: In simple terms, latency is the amount of time it takes for data to travel from your phone to the internet and back. A 4G network's typical latency is around 60 milliseconds, whereas 5G could reduce this to as little as 1 millisecond. This dramatic reduction in latency will be critical for technology such as self-driving cars, where every millisecond can mean the difference between a crash and a fatality.

-More simultaneous connections: More devices will be able to connect to the network at the same time with 5G. This is great because the world's smartphone population is growing, but it's also important because 5G is set to enable new developments in autonomous cars, connected machinery, and Internet of Things devices.