Evolution of Mobile Network Architectures: From 4G to 6G

Abstract

The evolution of mobile network architectures from 4G to 5G and the anticipation of 6G represents a journey of continuous innovation and transformation. 4G laid the foundation for mobile broadband with LTE technology, while 5G ushered in the era of ultra-fast speeds, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity. Key advancements such as network slicing, edge computing, and cloud-native architectures have empowered diverse applications ranging from augmented reality to autonomous vehicles. Looking forward, 6G is poised to revolutionize connectivity further with terahertz frequencies, AI-driven networks, and quantum communication, promising unparalleled capabilities and ushering in a new era of human-machine interaction and connectivity. This article provides an overview of the evolution of mobile network architectures, highlighting the key features of 4G and 5G, and envisioning the potential of emerging 6G technologies.