TELECOMMUNICATION ~ Difference between 3G and 4G

 

    3G and 4G are two networks that connect your phone to the Internet. The "G" in each represents the generation. So, 3G stands for "third generation", 4G stands for "fourth generation". As with most things technical, the higher number indicates the latest and greatest version of a given technology.

    3G and 4G can be differentiated in terms of technology compliance, data transfer rate, capacity, IP architecture and number of connections, etc. In 3G mobiles are optimized and developed to enable data and broadband services with better connectivity. 4G offers more capacity for improvised and faster mobile broadband experiences and allowing more connections.

Definition of 3G:

    3G is a mobile communications standard that allows portable electronic devices to access the Internet wirelessly. It stands for "third generation", which means that it is the third most widely available technology.

    The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has defined third generation (3G) as an IMT-2000 cell phone standard to facilitate growth, increase bandwidth and support more diverse applications. For example, GSM could provide not only voice data, but also circuit-switched data at speeds up to 14.4 Kbps. But to support mobile multimedia applications, 3G would have to provide packet-switched data with greater efficiency at much higher speeds.

    3G network support services provide information transfer rates of less than 2 Mbps. The latest 3G versions, often noted as 3.5G and 3.75G, also provide mobile broadband access of several Mbps. This ensures that it can be applied to wireless voice telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed Internet access, video calling and mobile TV technologies. 

Definition of 4G:

    4G is a mobile communication standard operating at a faster and more efficient rate than 3G to allow portable electronic devices to access the Internet wirelessly. It is intended to succeed 3G and is almost fully available worldwide. You can also see 4G called 4G LTE, which stands for (Long Term Evolution) and represents a specific type of 4G that is up to 10 times faster than 3G. 

Key differences between 3G and 4G:

•     In terms of bandwidth, 3G offers 21Mbps and 4G offers a maximum bandwidth of 1 Gbps.

•     The maximum download rate of 3G is 5Mbps, while 500 Mbps is the highest download rate of 4G.

•     The highest download rate of 3G is 21Mbps. In contrast, 4G offers a maximum download rate of 1Gbps.

•     3G uses packet switching for data transmission. In fact, both packet and message switching are used in 4G.

•     In 4G, the hybrid network architecture is used. In contrast, 3G uses a wide area cellular network.

•     CDMA is used in 3G. In contrast, 4G uses OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access).

•     Handover management is done vertically in 3G, but in 4G it is done vertically and horizontally.

•     The entire IP network is supported in 4G. However, in 3G, it is circuit and packet based. 

Limitations of 3G

1.     The cost of cellular infrastructure and base station upgrades is very high.
2.     Roaming and data/voice have not yet been implemented.
3.     Energy usage is high.
4.     Requires short distance base stations and are expensive.

 

Limitations of 4G

1.     Location coordination and resource coordination to add new devices are not adequate.
2.     Limited calls and voice services can be handled at once.
3.     It requires high bandwidth.
4.     It does not provide good services in rural areas due to the need for wireless network and 4G  network is not well developed in these areas.

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