Thursday 21 March 2013

Just what is 4G Mobile Internet, LTE and WiMAX?

By Frederick Harrold


4G is the fourth generation of mobile communication standard, the successor of 3G (third generation). This should give super-fast mobile broadband access to 4G mobile phones, laptops, tablets and PCs linked to a USB wireless modem and a multitude of 4G enabled mobile gadgets.

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

One can clearly see that the future looks good for the next generation of technological improvements in communications. A hugely important thing to know before the official adaption of 4G is that the UK and the US do not use the same operators. The problem with having different operators is that there are characteristics 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 them is that LTE has greater choice to limit bandwidth than WiMAX.

What is LTE? LTE technology can be put to use with ease and can supply high data rates with low latencies across great distances. Known as 4G (fourth generation), it is superior over 3G systems. For instance, initial readings show the 4G network can easily reach data download speeds of nearly 16 Mbps, as opposed to just over 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 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 capability to handle text messages and voice calls inherently. Those kinds of services are usually handled by networks that are circuit-switched, such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM.

The Simplified Architecture Evolution (SAE) of the LTE is basically a simpler version 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 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 greater number of customers. Only a few configurations are needed to improve the network as opposed to investment in equipment.

Mobile WiMAX platform lets you you to move with your mobile device and still connect to broadband services as long as you are inside the designated area. Institutions, municipalities and campuses use this system effectively to supply large populations. The areas are known as hot spots. This design does not require use of a cable infrastructure.

WiMAX is a cost-effective option and has made it possible to offer internet to remote and sparsely inhabitated communities. Necessary infrastructure is simple and cheaper to lay down. It is not affected by human activity like cuts or natural disasters like floods. Broadband is accessible on mobile phones. You only need to stay within the hot spot.




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