Tuesday, March 26, 2013

What is 4G Technology, LTE and WiMAX?

By Frederick D. Harrold


4G, or fourth generation is the most recent kind of mobile telecommunication benchmark, the heir to 3G (third generation). This will provide super-fast mobile broadband access to 4G mobile phones, laptops, tablets and PCs linked to a USB wireless modem and a host of 4G enabled mobile appliances.

Of the two benchmarks that have been part of 4G - LTE and WiMAX, LTE seems to have taken over as the main contender. 4G have provided cited download speeds greater than 100Mbps and upload speeds greater than 50Mbps. With these speeds in mind, forthcoming LTE 4G mobile devices could achieve up to 5x the performance of 3G with HSPA.

One can clearly see that the future is bright for the next generation of technological improvements in communications. A hugely interesting thing to know before the official introduction of 4G is that the US and the UK do not use the same operators. The thing 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 US, the operator is WiMAX while in the UK, it is LTE. The only difference between them is that LTE has more choices to restrict bandwidth than WiMAX.

What is LTE? LTE technology can be put to use simply and can provide fast 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 attain data download speeds of nearly 16 Mbps, compared to around 1 Mbps for 3G connections. The average upload speed for the 4G system is about 1.5 Mbps, compared with 0.7 Mbps for the 3G.

LTE networks are much simpler to make use of than its predecessors. Its network architecture is much easier because it is only a network that is packet switched. The system does not have the capability to control text messages and voice calls inherently. Those kinds of services are mainly handled by networks which are circuit-switched, such as GSM and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

The Simplified Architecture Evolution (SAE) of the LTE is essentially an easier kind of the architecture which is presently utilised by the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). The UMTS dictates a comprehensive network system which includes the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), along with the core Mobile Application Part (MAP) network. It also certifies 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 require a special IP address to access broadband on this platform. The cost of expansion is reduced and broadband can be given to a large number of customers. Only a few configurations are required to improve the network as opposed to investment in equipment.

Mobile WiMAX platform allows you to move with your device and still access broadband services as long as you are within the designated zone. Municipalities, campuses and institutions utilise this system effectively to serve large communities. The areas are known as hot spots. This design does not require use of a cable infrastructure.

WiMAX is an economical alternative and has made it achievable to offer internet to remote and sparsely inhabitated areas. Required infrastructure is simple and cost-effective to lay down. It is not influenced by human activity like cuts or natural disasters like floods. Broadband is accessible on mobile phones. You only require to remain within the hot spot.




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