In this tutorial today, i will outline the difference between 4G and LTE, so it can help you make a good decision about your future Cell Phone Signal Booster or smartphone purchase. Today, most cellular carriers offer 4G network connectivity, and some areas are compatible with the faster 4G LTE network as well. To another person who may not be well conversant with technology and network analogy, 4G and 4G LTE may seem like the same term, but they are actually different.
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About 4G connectivity
ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) released new standards for 4G connectivity in March 2008, which included faster connection speeds and mobile hotspots. It took years for the nation’s cellular networks to catch up with the technology since it was new and very fast in comparison with the earlier connectivities.
Today, most of the 3G networks have been upgraded to 4G speeds, and the average smartphone can take advantage of 4G connectivity.
Unlike 3G, 4G allows users to fully enjoy digital media on their mobile devices, including streaming video, rich multimedia apps, and high-quality music.
Users can start watching a movie in seconds, without worrying about long load times and buffering. On first release, 4G was typically an undesired target for tech developers, and most carriers didn’t support the new network to its full potential. Today, 4G is the new standard everyone wants to use on their gadgets
About 4G Lite connectivity
Long Term Evolution, also known as 4G LTE is similar to the “S” series of iPhone. It is an improvement over its predecessor, but not substantial enough to qualify as a new generation.
Think of 4G LTE as “3G S”. It is a clever workaround that allows cellular networks to advertise 4G speeds, without reaching the minimum standards set by the ITU-R.
While 4G LTE is a major improvement over 3G speeds, it is technically not 4G. However, most cellular carriers now advertise their networks as 4G LTE, because it sounds the same as 4G. In some cases, your phone may even display 4G LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced), which is even closer to a proper 4G. This is the cutting edge of consumer cell phone technology.
4G vs. 4G LTE.
So now that you can tell the difference between 4G and LTE, we shall now compare and contrast the two different network generations. In most cases, the download speed is comparable unless you reside in a major city.
As cellular carriers continue to update their LTE networks, they have closed the gap between LTE and “real 4G”. This is especially true with LTE-A, which is currently the fastest option available.
To take full advantage of 4G, you will need a smartphone or tablet with 4G support. Older mobile devices cannot provide 4G speeds because they aren’t built to handle it. Moreover, your cellular carrier should offer 4G service. We recommend visiting a carrier’s retail location and asking about their local coverage before making an investment in a new smartphone.
4G LTE has some inherent advantages over previous generation (3G) of mobile communications which makes it suitable for connectivity for enterprises
- Higher bandwidth (data speeds), 4G LTE provides true broadband speeds in comparison to 3G.
- Low latency, lower idle-to-active times (improved network responsiveness)
- High spectrum efficiency means higher network capacity, improved cost efficiency
- Backwards compatibility and future-proofing
- All IP network means easier integration, improved cost efficiency
- Enhancements to security and Quality of Service differentiation
Advantages of using 4G LTE
For Users
- Higher data speeds – much faster than 3G, let alone 2G – for IP access.
- Lower latency (e.g., for IoT applications to perform features faster).
- More bands (albeit more expensive phones) leading to less congestion.
- Wider bandwidths – supporting/providing the higher performance.
For the carrier (operator)
- Less costly control plane infrastructure (DIAMETER instead of SS7).
- Better session control using the Policy Control Rules Function (PCRF).
- Session/user prioritization using the PCRF and P-Gateway.
- Simplified and more intelligent Radio Access Network (RAN) elements.
- Better spectrum efficiency – more users per expensive Hz of spectrum.
- Ability to deploy in multiple bandwidths of spectrum (1.4 MHz to 20 MHz).