5G Mobile Network Devices 4G LTE Backward & 6G Forward Compatible?

It seems that every few years, there is a new development in mobile phone technology. Despite creating the term L.T.E., meaning Long Term Evolution, to stem the numbering of networks after 2G and 3G, we have continued with the sequence from 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G (to be active in 2019), to 6G ETA 2030. The reason for this is that the speeds of 4G LTE and later networks are going to be so drastically great - They need more clarification than simply "LTE".

While, for the most part, these advances are superfluous, there are times when cell phone owners should take note, specifically when a new generation of networking becomes available. Fortunately, for all you folks that love your 4G LTE smartphones, they will continue to work on 4G technology because 4G LTE networks cannot be phased out completely. The 5G mobile network devices WILL BE backward compatible with earlier (or actually current) technology 4G LTE, so that they can fall back to it if 5G is not available at any moment, at any location. However, they MAY NOT BE forward compatible with the yet to be developed 6G technology.

Network clogging 2G networks are mostly phased out worldwide. While the 3G and 4G networks may be on the way out, replaced with 5G network, this 5th Generation Mobile Network is creating quite a buzz in the technology and mobile device world which is predicted to be 6G forward compatible in 2030. What makes it so great? This article will let you know.

Super-fast connection speeds.

The biggest pro of the 5G network in comparison to its predecessors 3G and 4G LTE will be that it will offer incredible speeds for uploading and downloading data. While the 3G and the 4G phones have capabilities of delivering high MBps (megabytes per second) of content, the 5G phone boasts of being able to give users a 1GB per second for multiple connections. Theoretically, this places the speed of the 5G network around 100X faster than the 4G LTE currently available. This ability will slingshot the mobile phone into the multi-media arena, allowing for cellphone users to stream live video feeds, download full feature movies, high definition games, and more. The enhanced mobile broadband use will go further than just cell phone devices, as can be seen with the Nokia 5G New Radio.

Fewer dropped calls.

Fundamental to the 5G phone is the method in which the phone will function. Traditionally, the 2G, 3G, and 4G phones have used towers and frequencies very similar to that of a radio transmission to connect users to the network. However, with the 5G phones, the network will be set up with several relay points. The good news to this is that there will be essentially no dead zones. A person’s network coverage will work from both satellite as well as the relay points. The downside of this network is that it will require a transition from the tower to the new relay points. It will turn the current network towers into irrelevant equipment. Where the problem lays is with the older networks. It is unrealistic to think that the newer networks will quickly take over the 3G and 4G networks, especially as several vehicles have built-in LTE connections, smartphones just released are 4G, and such.

A whole new way to use your phone.

One of the questions which is sure to be posed is whether the 3G and 4G networks will work with the 5G network. The simple answer is that it will not. Why not? Well that is a bit more complex. Currently, the phones available work on MHZ in the 20 MHz range. It is estimated that the 5G network will occupy a 6 GHz frequency band. That high frequency will allow for the instantaneous information speeds. However, the high speeds will also make it necessary to have input and output antennas (the relay points mentioned prior) called MIMos. 2G, 3G, and 4G phones do not use MIMOs and therefore are not apt to work when they are introduced, unless mobile networks decide to tweak them to accommodate such generations. It is likely that 4G LTE phones and networks will be configured into the mix. Yet, the older generations will need to boost their frequencies in other ways or replace the phones.

When can we see the 5G network?

While the instantaneous downloads, the quick connections, and the endless access points are ideal for today, you will have to wait to get this type of technology until atleast 2019. Tests have been conducted in various countries and the bugs are being worked out, but as far as a massive release, the goal is to do a launch within the next 3 years. Rural areas may find that the integration of the 5G network will be a bit slower than 2020. Remember that MIMOs will need to be set up in your community, which could take some time. And while it may be that existing towers may be reconditioned for the 5G, it is more probable that the major networks will seek out zoning permissions, MIMO points, and a restructuring to maximize 5G use.

What to do if your signal is weak and downloads are slow now.

Should you find that your download speeds, connections speeds, and uploads are slow, it could be a result of low signal strength as measured in decibels. It is recommended that you use a residential or commercial cell phone signal booster to increase your cell phone’s potential. In residential boosters, it may be possible to see increases up to 50db, essentially turning a dead zone into a useable area. Commercial cell phone signal boosters have been shown to increase the speeds up to 4x the standard settings on certain phones.

To find out more about cell phone signal boosters, or if you would like to discuss how to get your business ready for the 5G networks please contact us, we will be glad to help. Read more about 5G and AT&T's 5G-E and learn everything else there's to know about 5G.