The Difference Between 4G and 5G

When implementing 5G networks, some countries make sure to use Non-Standalone (NSA). But there are those who choose to apply the Standalone (SA) system. What's the difference between the two? 

According to the 3GPP Release 15 standard covering 5G networks, the first batch of networks and devices will be classified as Non-Standalone (NSA), i.e. 5G networks supported by existing 4G infrastructure. The 5G smartphones will connect to 5G frequencies for increased data throughput, but will still use 4G for non-data things such as connections to base stations and servers. 

Initial plans for 5G cellular infrastructure will focus on enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) to provide higher data bandwidth and better connection reliability over two new radio frequency spectrums: 

1. Frequency Spectrum 1 intersects with and extends the 4G LTE frequency, operating from 450MHz to 6,000MHz. They are numbered 1 through 255, and are usually referred to as New Radio (NR) or sub-6GHz. 

2. Frequency Spectrum 2 operates at much higher frequencies, ie 24,250MHz (~24GHz) to 52,600MHz (~52GHz). They are numbered from 257 to 511 and are usually referred to as millimeter waves (mmWave), although the actual 'millimeter' frequencies start at 30GHz. 

Not all of the above large frequency spectrum will be used as the availability of frequency zones varies by country, so different sub-slices will be available depending on where the device operates. This is a major technical challenge for smartphone designers, who must minimize design costs with a simple single platform, while simultaneously supporting all frequency combinations with the best performance, connection reliability, and power efficiency. 

Meanwhile, Standalone (SA) networks have the advantage of greater simplification and efficiency, which will reduce costs and increase throughput performance to the end of the network, while helping the development of new cellular use cases such as ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Fortunately, the migration from 5G NSA to SA by telecom operators should happen seamlessly without being felt by users. 

What is the difference between 4G and 5G? 

The 5G internet network is said to offer better features than the previous generation. 

 1. Speed 

The 5G network is the fifth generation that has a higher speed than the previous generation, namely 4G LTE. The 5G networks rely on new transmission technologies such as antenna array MIMO and carrier aggregation that increase speeds over 4G-LTE. In fact, the 5G network is said to have 100 times the speed compared to 4G. 

2. Range

The 5G networks require more investment and bandwidth. Therefore, 5G network coverage is still not accessible in various areas, like 4G networks. The 5G network requires a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mhz and is contiguous. Meanwhile, it has not been implemented in various regions. 

3. Device 

The 5G technology has the ability to work at various frequencies or bands, namely High Bands (24GHz-40 GHz), Mid Bands (1GHz-2.6GHz, and 3.5Ghz-6GHz), and Low Bands (below 1GHz). 

4. Efficiency 

With high speed, the 5G internet network is more efficient than the 4G. This is because the travel time for 5G access is shorter than for 4G. Stable and faster data transfer speeds will save time and internet quota. 

5. Latency 

The 5G network latency will be faster than 4G. Latency is the time it takes to send an SMS to another phone, and when the phone registers, it receives a new message. As opposed to speed, which is the time the phone downloads the content of a web page. Even though the time to send and send messages on the 4G network is already fairly low, the 5G network will make it almost zero. This is important because it can support other technologies, such as driverless cars, that need to send signals about their environment over the internet to computers in the cloud.

This is the latest information about difference between 5G and 4G technology in smartphones. I hope this article will be useful. Thank you all for visiting my blog and waiting for the next information to be up to date. ☺

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Introduction About NFC (Near Field Communication)

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that allows adjacent devices to communicate with each other without contact. NFC technology is embedded in smartphones, payment cards, and smartbands. NFC technology may have been talked about a lot recently, but this technology is nothing new.  Since a few years ago, several smartphone manufacturers embedded NFC technology in several series of upper-middle class smartphones or on flagship smartphones.

NFC on smartphones a few years ago may have been less booming, but now NFC has increasingly gained a place due to other technological developments. For example, the e-toll card, which is mandatory for drivers who want to enter tolls, makes NFC smartphones sell well. NFC smartphones allow e-toll cardholders to top up their balances and update their e-toll balances.

 What is NFC?

As mentioned above, NFC technology allows two NFC-tech devices to communicate with each other if they are close together.

One device will act as a transmitter, and the other device will act as a signal catcher. For example, e-toll/e-money cards and other devices that become transmitters (can be smartphones, smartbands, card reader machines on e-tolls, ATM machines, EDC machines, etc.).

How does NFC work?

NFC works by bringing two devices closer together, but perhaps it will remind us of Bluetooth and wifi, both of which rely on radio waves to transmit information. In NFC, the technology used is the old type of radio frequency identification (RFID), which uses electromagnetic induction to transmit information.

NFC on an active device, e.g. NFC on a smartphone. NFC on this smartphone can induce an electric current in passive devices (e-toll cards or e-money) for data transfer purposes. Thus, NFC technology on passive devices does not require power for data transfer purposes. Therefore, we can see that the e-toll/e-money card does not have a battery but can still communicate with active NFC devices such as smartphones.

Thanks to NFC technology, now e-toll/e-money cards are commonly used to pay for buses, enter toll gates, pay for groceries, and many others. Just one tap, then the transaction can be done.

E-toll/e-money is a contactless payment solution that is highly recommended during this pandemic, because it can minimize the spread of viruses by touching or contacting objects.

In order for two devices with NFC to communicate with each other, they must be at a fairly close distance, no more than 10 cm. Another with Bluetooth, which can still reach a distance of 10-meters to communicate data.

How does NFC function on a cellphone?

The advantage of NFC is the connection speed. In less than 10 seconds, two devices can be connected using NFC, faster than Bluetooth. Currently, NFC is still limited to upper-middle-class smartphones and flagship smartphones. Even though NFC is widely available on smartphones, you can enjoy its functions as below:

 1. Payment/Payment without contact

Smartphones with NFC can make payments just by bringing them closer to the postal terminal. Samsung, for example, has the Samsung Pay payment line. The Samsung Pay app was originally created for phones with NFC. Without an NFC phone, Samsung Pay is of little use. With Samsung Pay and NFC, users can make contactless payments. Enter your credit or debit card data into Samsung Pay. When you want to pay the cashier, just open Samsung Pay and stick or hold the phone to the reader.

 2. Read e-toll/e-money balance

If you frequently use e-tolls or e-wallets, then a phone with NFC will be useful. The reason is, you don't need to go to ATMs or to Indomaret and Alfamart to check your balance.

3. Transfer data to the PC

Some PCs today are even equipped with NFC technology. Well, if your phone also has NFC, then you can use it to transfer data from your phone to your PC wirelessly, without Bluetooth, just NFC.

 4. Wifi connection

There's currently a tool called Wi-Fi Porter, which lets you directly access public Wi-Fi without the need to enter a password. Plug the NFC phone into the Wi-Fi port, and voila! You are directly connected to wifi.

5. Send Phone Number

Still sending phone numbers via WhatsApp and SMS? Wow, with NFC, you can send phone numbers just by holding the phones close to each other, you know! Sophisticated right.

6. Transfer media between NFC phones

Want to send photos, videos, or important documents to a friend's phone? Well, if you use an NFC-enabled phone, you just need to hold the phones close to each other to be able to transfer data quickly.

There are still many other NFC functions that have not been written here. You can look it up yourself, or you can try it right away by buying an NFC phone.

This is the latest information about NFC technology in smartphones. I hope this article will be useful. Thank you all for visiting my blog and waiting for the next information to be up to date. ☺

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