Tuesday 26 February 2013

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

By Allan John Kenny


4G is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunication standard, the heir to 3G (third generation). This should give super-fast mobile internet access to 4G mobile phones, laptops, tablets and PCs connected to a USB wireless modem and a number of 4G enabled mobile devices.

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

One can clearly see that the future looks good for the next generation of technological advancements in communications. One hugely consequential 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 thing with having different operators is that there are features in the UK version that the US 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 the two is that LTE has more choices to restrict bandwidth than WiMAX.

What is LTE? LTE technology can be deployed with ease and can supply high data rates with low latencies across great distances. Known as 4G (fourth generation), it is better than 3G systems. For example, initial results show the 4G network can easily reach data download speeds of nearly 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 only a network that is packet switched. The system does not possess the ability to control text messages and voice calls inherently. Those kinds of services are usually controlled by networks that are circuit-switched, such as GSM and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

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

What is WiMAX? WiMAX is an acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This technology works on wireless MAN basics. You need a particular IP address to access internet on this platform. The price of expansion is lowered and broadband can be afforded to a large number of customers. Only a few types are needed 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 so long as you are within the appointed area. Campuses, municipalities and institutions use this system effectively to supply large populations. The areas are referred to as hot spots. This design does not need the use of a cable infrastructure.

WiMAX is a cost-effective alternative and has made it achievable to offer internet to remote and sparsely populated communities. Required infrastructure is basic and cheaper to lay down. It is not affected by human activity like cuts or natural disasters such as floods. Internet is accessible on mobile phones. You only need to remain within the hot spot.




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