What is 4G Technology and What are the differences between LTE and WiMAX? | The Communication Blog

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

What is 4G Technology and What are the differences between LTE and WiMAX?

By Frederick D. Harrold


4G is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunication standard, the successor of 3G (third generation). This will give high-speed mobile broadband access to 4G mobile phones, tablets, laptops and PCs connected to a USB wireless modem and a host of 4G connected mobile appliances.

Of the two standards that have been part of 4G - WiMAX and LTE, LTE seems to have taken over as the principal contender. 4G have provided quoted download speeds greater than 100Mbps and upload speeds above 50Mbps. With these speeds in mind, future LTE 4G mobile devices could get up to 5x the speeds of 3G with HSPA.

We can clearly see that the future looks good for the next generation of technological gains in communications. One very important thing to be aware of before the official adaption of 4G is that the UK and the US do not use the same operators. The issue with having different operators is that there are features in the US version that the UK version does not have and vice versa. In the UK, the operator for 4G is LTE while in the US, it is Wimax. The only difference between the two is that LTE has greater choice to limit bandwidth than WiMAX.

What is LTE? LTE technology can be put to use easily and can supply high data rates with low latencies across very long distances. Known as 4G (fourth generation), it is better than 3G systems. For example, preliminary readings show the 4G network can easily reach data download speeds of almost 16 Mbps, compared to just over 1 Mbps for 3G connections. The mean upload speed for the 4G system is about 1.5 Mbps, compared with 0.7 Mbps for the 3G.

LTE networks are much easier to deploy than its predecessors. Its network architecture is considerably simpler because it is merely a network that is packet switched. The system does not have the capacity to handle SMS and voice calls inherently. Those types of services are usually controlled by networks that are circuit-switched, such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM.

The Simplified Architecture Evolution (SAE) of the LTE is essentially a simpler version of the architecture which is currently utilised by the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). The UMTS defines a comprehensive network system which encompasses the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), as well as the core Mobile Application Part (MAP) network. It also authenticates users through their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.

What is WiMAX? WiMAX is an acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This technology functions on wireless MAN basics. You need a special IP address to access broadband on this platform. The cost of expansion is reduced and broadband can be supplied to a large number of users. Only a few types are required to improve the network rather than investment in equipment.

Mobile WiMAX platform lets you you to move with your device and still access internet services as long as you are inside the designated area. Institutions, municipalities and campuses use this system efficiently to serve large populations. The areas are referred to as hot spots. This model does not require use of a cable framework.

WiMAX is a cost-effective option and has made it possible to offer internet to remote and sparsely populated communities. Required infrastructure is easy and cost-effective to lay down. It is not impacted by human activity like cuts or natural calamities such as floods. Broadband is accessible on mobile phones. You only require to stay within the hot spot.




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