Over the years, cellular operators and communications technologies have advanced to the point where they are now an everyday commodity. The market for high-speed internet & data has risen as well, prompting mobile broadband providers to upgrade their networks. The LTE network has been around for quite a while, and the next generation is known as 5G.
What is LTE?
LTE is an abbreviation for “Long Term Evolution”, It is most usually associated with 4G, the 4th-Generation worldwide wireless technology standard initially specified in 2008.
Long Term Evolution (LTE) was defined as a new cellular access service with a high transmission rate, high peak data speeds, frequency, and latency flexibility when first introduced in 2008.
It denotes a changing level of performance for mobile hardware, software, and internet technology capabilities — such as speed, latency, battery life, and cost-efficiency — are optimized and improved over time.
Why Does My Phone Say LTE Instead of 5G?
LTE was the mobile technology of the previous generation. The most recent one is 5G. 5G is not yet available in all areas. And, just as 3G was backed when 4G LTE was rolled out, LTE will be backed for a few years.
Here are the few reasons that’s why phone say LTE instead of 5G:
- You have an outdated smartphone that isn’t 5G capable.
- You would be in an area where 5G is not available.
- Your service package prevents you from connecting at 5G speeds.
- You’ve reached your 5G data usage and have been slowed down to 4G service.
- When 5G connections don’t deliver a significantly improved experience, your smartphone switches to LTE to save battery life. When 5G is enabled, it will always use the 5G network.
- This may shorten the battery’s life. Even though 5G is available, the LTE network is used.
Is It Safe to Use 5G?
Yes. The 5G network is just an advanced take on the existing network connection with better connectivity and speed within its limited range. Before launching a newer technology or network, such as in this case, it is essential to follow basic national and health guidelines.
The developers of the technology would not get permission to carry forward the process if it seems to be a direct threat to the environment in the long run.
In the case of the 5G network, the tech companies have tried to follow the guidelines issued by the government to the best of their ability. For the information of the users, the parameter for safety is decided by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
This international institution tests and validates the long-term performance and safety parameters for new technologies. Also, according to a statement issued by WHO, mobile phone technologies do not pose an adverse effect on the people and environment in today’s day and age.
Difference Between 4G, 5G, and LTE?
Yes. In terms of latency and speed, there is a vast difference between the 4G and 5G network connections. While 4G can clock at a speed of 1Gbps, the 5G network has been tried and tested for clocking a speed of 5-8 Gbps. Keep in mind that this is only while the 5G is still in its testing period.
Researchers believe that the millimeter waves of the 5G network can ultimately clock a speed of 10-40 Gbps as time progresses. This will be the ultimate game-changer in the field of internet connection.
The tech companies have stated that the 5G network has been introduced to facilitate the performance of the LTE network. To date, LTE is based on a 4G network, and with the introduction of 5G, we shall observe a much-reduced latency in network connectivity.
One of the major differences between the two technologies is that the radio wave frequency of the 5G network is 30-300 GHz, whereas the 4G LTE network has a radio wave frequency of 6 GHz.
How to Change From LTE to 5G?
If your phone supports a 5G network, then it is quite simple to switch between the two networks. You can achieve that by managing the network settings on your device.
Here are the steps to change the phone network from LTE to 5G:
Step 1: Launch Settings and Move to Network Connections
Open the Settings app on your device and head over to the Network Connections menu
Step 2: Scroll to Mobile Network and Choose Network Mode
Scroll down to the Mobile Network tab and click on Network Mode. Here you will find the options for 5G/4G LTE/ 3G/ 2G.
Step 3: Tap On Your Suitable Option
After tapping on Network Mode, you will have the fintech option to choose an auto mode that will directly connect you to the 5G network as soon as you turn on the data service on your device.
You can also choose to connect to the 4G LTE network only by selecting the next option on the list in the dialog box.
Which is Better: 5G or LTE?
From the discussion, it is pretty clear why the ball is currently in 5G’s court in terms of evolution in the scape of network technology. As per the statistics, the 5G data connection promises 20 times faster speed than the 4G network.
But, realistically, since 5G is currently not available in all the regions of the world, it is difficult to shortlist the technology as a better alternative. In terms of network coverage and reliability, a large portion of the globe is still reliant on the 4G LTE technology for operating their IoT devices.
This pattern will surely break in the future when 5G is made more accessible to the audience, but in the meantime, we have to work with the 4G LTE technology for at least the next decade till it fades out like the 3G network.
Conclusion
Although the emergence of fifth-generation gadgets has increased competition and begun to bring prices down in recent years, it may still be too soon to switch to 5G over LTE at this time.
As the market becomes more competitive, more tempting packages, products, and storage alternatives will undoubtedly become available. As the coverage of millimeter wave-based systems expands, you’ll be able to connect to them more reliably for the high speeds that 5G offers.