4G5G6G

4G5G6G is a shorthand used to describe the ongoing evolution of mobile communications across generations, highlighting the progression from 4G to 5G and the emerging research landscape for 6G. It reflects how networks, devices, and applications have shifted toward higher data rates, lower latency, greater capacity, and more flexible architectures.

4G refers to the fourth generation of mobile networks, standardized in the late 2000s. It introduced widely IP-based networks and improved efficiencies for mobile broadband, enabling services such as high‑quality video, mobile applications, and improved roaming. Technologies commonly associated with 4G include LTE and LTE-Advanced, with user speeds commonly ranging from tens of megabits per second to around 1 Gbps in favorable conditions.

5G encompasses the fifth generation, standardized by 3GPP as New Radio (NR). It offers significantly higher peak data rates, lower latency, and support for diverse use cases. Key technologies include mmWave and sub-6 GHz spectrum, Massive MIMO, beamforming, network slicing, and cloud-native, virtualized architectures with edge computing. Use cases span enhanced mobile broadband, ultra‑reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications.

6G denotes ongoing research aimed at technologies and concepts beyond 5G, with anticipated timelines extending into the 2030s. Reported goals include terabit-per-second data rates, ultra-low latency, intelligent surfaces and materials, AI-native networks, integrated sensing and communication, and broader deployment scenarios such as seamless air‑to‑ground, satellite, and terrestrial connectivity. Standardization is not yet complete, and projects such as national or regional research initiatives and international consortia are exploring requirements, architectures, and use cases for future networks.

Overall, 4G5G6G frames a continuum of mobile technology development, emphasizing evolving performance, new architectural approaches, and broader integration of computation, sensing, and artificial intelligence.