Gigabit LTE (Long Term Evolution) is an advanced form of LTE, the 4G wireless technology that targets a peak download speed of up to 1 Gbps using the fourth-generation (4G) LTE technologies, also known as LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro. This evolution serves as a stepping stone towards 5G. 5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks that enables peak download speeds of 10 Gbps to 20 Gbps using the New Radio (NR) technology. 

They are distinct in their capabilities and implementations. In this article we (SMET) aim to clarify the differences between Gigabit LTE and 5G, highlighting their unique features and benefits.

1. Technology and Trends:

Gigabit LTE is an evolution of 4G LTE technology, building upon existing LTE infrastructure and implementing advanced features. It operates within LTE standards.

5G is the next generation of wireless technology, developed from scratch to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity. It operates under the 5G NR (New Radio).

2. Speed and Capacity:

Gigabit LTE offers download speeds of up to 1 Gbps under ideal conditions. It provides a significant speed improvement over traditional LTE networks. 

5G aims to deliver download speeds ranging from several hundred Mbps to multiple Gbps. It provides faster speeds compared to Gigabit LTE.

3. Latency:

Gigabit LTE maintains similar latency characteristics to 4G LTE, typically ranging from 10 to 20 milliseconds.

5G targets ultra-low latency, aiming to reduce it to as low as 1 millisecond. This low latency is crucial for real-time applications.

4. Network Architecture:

Gigabit LTE utilizes the existing LTE network infrastructure and radio access network (RAN) architecture, with enhancements to improve capacity and speed.

5G introduces a new network architecture, including virtualization, network slicing, and edge computing. 

5. Frequency Bands:

Gigabit LTE operates primarily on existing LTE frequency bands, including sub-6 GHz bands.

5G utilizes both sub-6 GHz and mmWave (millimeter wave) frequency bands. mmWave bands offer higher data rates but have a shorter range.

6. Use Cases and Applications:

Gigabit LTE provides an upgrade to existing LTE networks, offering improved performance and supporting bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition video streaming and online gaming. 

5G enables a wide range of transformative use cases and applications, including autonomous vehicles, smart cities, industrial automation, remote healthcare, and immersive augmented/virtual reality experiences.

Both technologies have their unique advantages and play important roles in the evolving landscape of wireless connectivity. Gigabit LTE is an important stepping stone towards 5G, 5G is expected to revolutionize various industries and enable transformative applications that require ultra-fast and highly reliable wireless connectivity. The Gigabit-class LTE technologies described above are a key milestone in the journey to the next-generation 5G New Radio (5G-NR) Access Network.