LTE, or Long-Term Evolution, is the developed 4G service standard designed and implemented by 3GPP, or third generation partnership project industry trade group. This standard was designed specifically to provide a standardized pathway from 3G to the next generation of wireless communications standards for cellular network and carriers.
The benefits of LTE are:
- Dramatically increased throughput
- Increased predictability, capacity, and speed for wireless networks
- Decreased transmission speeds
- Increased coverage areas
- Lower latency
By using MIMO, or multiple input multiple output antennas, and Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, LTE standards allow for extremely high signal to noise ratio, ideal for covering large areas with high numbers of individual subscribers. LTE is backwards compatible with both 3G and 2G technologies, and many LTE companies and providers include 3G and 2G frequencies in their LTE networks.
As with all technology, evolution is robust in the LTE space. The combination of demand for industrial LTE networks and private LTE networks has spawned new innovation. What used to be limited to “Carrier Grade” products and Carrier Cost” products developed by a couple of vendors is now becoming mainstream. Vendors such as Redline, Cisco and Nokia are all developing targeted products for the private and industrial markets.
While LTE technology is extremely effective for autonomous and high subscriber number deployments, frequency availability is extremely limited. Most frequency bands supporting LTE in North America are privately held, and contracts are required to utilize their frequency bands. Additionally, as 5G systems come on line, some LTE frequencies are becoming easier to access. Particularly in rural areas. KNS can work with you to determine if an LTE system is the best option for you and to acquire spectrum to run the network.