Let's figure out what LTE is in a smartphone, and how it differs from the usual 3G. What data transmission technologies do fourth generation networks offer, and what will this give to users?
What is LTE
Many smartphones support LTE, but not all users yet know what this means.
LTE (literally from English. Long-Term Evolution- long-term development, often referred to as 4G LTE) – communication standard for fast wireless transmission information in any volume. Designed for smartphones and others mobile devices who require a high-speed Internet connection.
The standard is an intermediate step in the transition from 3G to 4G. Connecting to such a network significantly increases the data transfer speed of both downloading and uploading. But despite this, he does not live up to technical characteristics, adopted for the next fourth generation of communications.
Data transmission technology
The new generation network provides connection speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s (theoretically maximum speed). In reality it is an order of magnitude lower, the technology is still significantly ahead of the previous standard. It is based on MIMO packet data transmission and OFDM coding system. Thanks to the distribution of transmitting antennas, correlation dependence is completely eliminated. IN different countries communication operates on different bands. Even different telecom operators within a country often use different frequency bands.
Comparison with 3G
If we compare the last two generations of the network, the current one and the one just developing, we get the following conclusions:
All these are undoubted advantages new network. But there are also disadvantages; 3G during its existence can boast of an extensive coverage area. LTE today is present only in a number of large cities in the country.
LTE and 4G
Both standards belong to the same generation; they have a number of differences. These technologies cannot be considered the same thing.
What is the difference between LTE and 4G:
- lower data upload speed;
- low throughput(LTE – 150 Mb/s, 4G – up to 1 GB);
- lower reception speed.
Pros of using it on phones and tablets
What benefits does the introduction of new communication standards bring to users?
LTE on the phone:
- watch videos in high quality without delays;
- use of video communications for calls and video conferencing;
- effective use as a router for WiFi distribution.
Increasing data transfer speeds helps expand services and reduce their costs.
Which operators provide in Russia
All leading companies provide subscribers with this opportunity. Operators also provide users with modems and pocket routers to access the network.
- Megafon has a wide coverage area, but a higher cost of services, unlike its competitors. Offers up to 40 GB monthly; a separate option is connected to access the Internet via LTE.
- MTS has a smaller coverage area. The subscription fee for communication services is lower than that of the previous competitor, and volumes are limited to 25 GB.
- Beeline provides a special SIM card with LTE support. It is worth noting that the coverage area of this operator is wider than that of MTS.
- Tele2 is also introducing LTE. But so far access is only in large cities.
How to connect to LTE
If the smartphone supports LTE, then to connect it is enough to have a correctly configured access point. As soon as the gadget is in 4G coverage area, it will automatically switch to a high-speed network.
Good Mobile Internet it just works. And yet, the Internet is different from the Internet. It can be designated by the symbols 3G, 4G, LTE - out of ignorance, you won’t immediately understand what the difference is. Many people have probably heard that 4G is better than 3G, but why? We will try to answer this and other questions about 4G.
I know that my smartphone supports 4G networks, but the gadget does not connect to them. What can be wrong?
If you know for sure that you are in a 4G network coverage area, then the problem may be with your phone. On iPhone you can enable 4G in settings. Go to “Cellular Data”, then to “Data Options”. Make sure the LTE switch is turned on.
On Android smartphones, you can select the network mode in the settings in the " Wireless network", then - the item "Mobile network", then - "Preferred network mode", where you need to activate the option "4G/3G/2G".
Another problem may lie in the fact that your Android smartphone can work with two SIM cards at once. Accordingly, there are two options for installing a single SIM card. However, only one of them provides mobile Internet connection. The solution is simple - move the SIM card according to the instructions for your smartphone to another place intended for it.
4G is an abbreviation for the English fourth generation. This is a general designation for several technologies mobile communications fourth generation, the last for today. The most common 4G technology is the LTE standard. In this sense, LTE and 4G are synonyms. The 4G standard was created to make mobile Internet faster than 3G. For a similar reason, several years ago 3G technologies replaced 2G.
What is the difference between 3G and 4G?
Calls
Through the 3G network you can make calls and connect to the mobile Internet - any smartphone allows this. However, on the MTS network, calls via 4G open new level voice quality, although this is not yet supported by all smartphones. For compatibility, you need a gadget with the VoLTE function - there is a constantly updated list of smartphones with it. Conversations via 4G are already available to MTS subscribers in more than fifty Russian regions - there is a list of them. While 4G calls are not available to everyone and not everywhere, all 4G smartphones can simultaneously work in 3G networks and even 2G networks - so that you can always make a call.
Internet
For mobile Internet users, the main thing is that 4G Internet is faster than 3G. What does it mean? Pages in the browser on your smartphone or tablet load in less time, you can watch videos over the Internet from best quality, the picture in your mobile online games does not freeze at the most crucial moment.
Faster means more expensive. So?
For users of all MTS tariffs, it makes no difference what technology you use to connect to the mobile Internet. 4G is neither cheap nor expensive. It's just faster.
Why is it important for me to understand the differences between 4G and 3G?
In order to do right choice when buying a new gadget. Be sure to pay attention to whether it supports 4G networks. Only such a device can give high speed mobile internet. And speed is your comfort, your time.
However, almost all new gadgets are released with 4G support - for every taste and budget. For example, you can buy a suitable smartphone for less than 4,000 rubles.
Did you know that...
Finally, a few interesting facts about 4G.
- The first commercial 4G network went live in December 2009 in Sweden.
- Subscribers cellular networks in many countries they pay more for 4G Internet than for 3G Internet. The logic is that a more modern network gives higher speed and more opportunities. In Russia, operators, as a rule, do not make separate tariffs for mobile networks of different generations.
- On Android smartphones and iOS gadgets, 4G network connection indicators look different. In the first case, it is the inscription 4G. In the second - LTE.
- MTS was the first of all Russian operators to launch LTE networks in all Russian regions. You can find out about 4G network coverage on the operator’s website.
- 5G networks will also certainly appear, and they will certainly be better than 4G. In 2019, MTS launched the first test zones with communications of the future.
Life is becoming faster and the information atmosphere is becoming denser. Today it is not enough for us to stay in touch with a simple cell phone, you need to be fully involved in information space. Social media, chats, IP telephony, video calls - all these delights require a constant connection to the Internet. In principle, securing your fortune online is not so difficult - even inexpensive phone Today it supports GPRS and EDGE standards. But when it comes to a fast connection, then everything is not so simple, because there is a choice. And choice, as you know, brings torment.
So, to get high-speed mobile Internet, we can take one of three paths:
- GPRS /EDGE / Internet from operators cellular communication
- Internet from Skylink
- New Internet from Yota and mobile operators
Mobile Internet from MTS, Beeline or Megafon
The most common and easiest way to provide yourself with mobile Internet has long been available in Russia. This is a data exchange service provided by operators according to GPRS, EDGE and . Strictly speaking, this is not a standard, but a collective term behind which a number of standards are hidden. Top smartphones and modems support the fastest HSPA+ standard, while budget devices support EDGE. For the average user, however, such subtleties are neither warm nor cold. Why? More on this later. For now, it’s enough to understand one thing: if the device supports, it means it can provide its owner with high-speed Internet access. If there are problems with the signal, the device itself will switch to slower standards: EDGE or GPRS.
The advantages of GSM Internet are:
Coverage area
However, in practice, everything is not so simple: “Changes, disturbances, malfunctions, permanent or temporary interruptions or delays in the propagation of radio waves caused by natural phenomena, including lunar and solar phenomena, due to local terrain and development features, meteorological conditions; interference that impedes signal reception associated with location and location conditions user equipment, including near buildings, in tunnels, in basements, basement-type rooms and other underground structures” - all this affects the presence and strength of the signal.
As a result, in the very center of Moscow we may find ourselves in a situation where there will be no “high-speed mobile Internet” at all. Thank God that GPRS and EDGE coverage is available almost everywhere and, if you have a GSM device with support or EDGE, then in 99% of cases you will definitely not be left without the Internet. By the way, GSM is the only technology that allows you to somehow enjoy the Internet in the metro.
Versatility
3G Internet is the most common type of Internet, and therefore 99% of all smartphones, tablets, phones and USB modems work on this wavelength, in the GSM standard.
Price
Previously, the mobile Internet was a sure way to an empty wallet. Today, times are different - operators offer a lot of tariff plans and options, including different kinds unlimited access, so if you have 150 rubles in your pocket, then there will be no problems with unlimited mobile Internet. But note: “unlimited” Internet from a GSM operator still has some restrictions - this is the amount of downloaded traffic per day or per month, depending on the tariff.
What about the cons?
Speed
Yes, the main disadvantage of mobile high-speed Internet is speed. Paradoxical but true! The specifics of GSM networks are such that what more people per unit time connected to the channel, the less its capacity becomes. Add to this the problem of coverage area (“lunar and solar phenomena”) and as a result, with a maximum theoretical speed of 28.8 Mbit/s (HSPA+) or 14.4 Mbit/s (HSDPA), we may not get even a third of what was promised , or even end up in the EDGE Internet. Let us remember that ideally EDGE is capable of 384 Kbps, but in practice, it sometimes does not even provide 128 Kbps. However, this state of affairs is relevant only for those areas where the density of subscribers is high - for cities and densely populated areas - as well as during traffic. In conditions more or less free channels and a constant location, the speed can jump to record values. It's perfect for country use!
Cruel reality
Our measurements showed the following picture: in the evening along the Shchelkovskoye Highway from the Moscow Ring Road to the area of three stations, the average mobile Internet speed from the operator [prohibited by censorship] did not reach 50 Kbps for several days. However, one day in the Sokolniki area we received as much as 5 Mbit/s. On the Moscow-Zelenograd segment, the speed is also extremely unstable - it ranges from 40 Kbps to 4 Mbps, while in some places the mobile Internet drops completely. IN mobile conditions all this is quite suitable for reading news sites on the road, corresponding on VKontakte, chatting, sending photos on Instagram, and in some places making a “video call” - in general, carrying out one or another act of communication.
By the way, according to the results of independent measurements, on average, the Internet speed in the capital is 2.5 - 3 Mbit/s, which is already pretty good.
Internet from Sky Link
The Sky Link operator uses CDMA technology for data transmission, the specifics of which make it possible to solve the problem of the relationship between the number of users and channel load in a different way.
Coverage area
"Sky Link", like GSM network, boasts a huge coverage area. Not only Moscow, not only the Moscow region - radio waves of the CDMA standard pass almost throughout Russia. However, as with GSM, the quality and availability of the signal depends on a number of conditions. “Due to the peculiarities of radio signal propagation in urban areas within the specified zones (including in areas of reliable radio signal reception), depending on the terrain and the specific location of the subscriber (especially in buildings, basements and other structures), the quality of radio communications may deteriorate , be interrupted or interfered with, and the data transmission rate may increase or decrease." However, the devil is not as scary as he is painted.
Stability
Following Megafon, MTS entered the battle for users, and thanks to the active development of the network, it secured second place in network coverage in Moscow and the Moscow region. You can view the current coverage area on the operator’s website:
Modern wireless Internet is developing very rapidly. Just 3 years ago, no one thought about the massive spread of 4G throughout almost all of central Russia, but large operators it was just in the plans. Now high-speed Internet is appearing in new populated areas. If previous generations of 2G and 3G were established standards for a long time, then 4G and LTE are progressing every year. In this article you will learn what the maximum speed of 4G Internet is and how to measure it. Also read in the next section useful material about how they differ from each other.
What speed should 4 G have?
If we take into account the 4G LTE network, which is the first generation of the new 4G technology, the figures will be much lower than stated. Back in 2008, standards were set according to which the maximum speed in 4G networks should have been as follows:
- 100Mb/s for mobile subscribers. These include cars, trains, and so on;
- 1Gb/s for static subscribers (pedestrians and stationary computers).
However, in reality things are worse than by stated standards. These parameters were set by the creators of the technology in ideal conditions without interference, network load and other unpleasant moments. In fact, for static subscribers the real figure does not exceed 100Mb/s. However, operators loudly proclaim 200-300Mb/s. The closest to this figure are Megafon and Beeline, which launched a network with support for LTE Advanced or 4G+. The performance of this standard reaches up to 150Mb/s under ideal conditions. However, it makes it clear: the mass adoption of LTE Advanced will have to wait a long time. In addition, the growing number of subscribers will increase the load on the network, which will lead to a decrease in the average.
By the way, a new one is coming, its speed is even higher!
Difference in mobile internet speed 3g and 4g
Compared to the third generation, the new technology has made a significant leap forward. Average 4g LTE data transfer speed per this moment fluctuates around 20Mb/s. The maximum rate for the third generation is 2Mb/s. The difference is obvious. However, the HSPA+ network brought the third generation to life with indicators of 42Mb/s for upload and 6Mb/s for reception.
How to check 4g internet speed?
You can independently determine what data transfer rates in currently on the phone. For this you will need mobile app Speedtest, which can be downloaded from stores Play Market and AppStore. The 4G speed test is launched by pressing just one button when starting the program. The utility will automatically measure the ping to the nearest server with which it will exchange a test data packet. After that, it will measure reception and return and display it on the screen of your device. The same operation can be done from a computer on the website of the same name. Also read on our website about their distribution.
Gradually, 4G networks are becoming as common as 3G, and mobile Internet is an integral part of the modern user of a smartphone or other mobile device. Currently mobile network helps us use all kinds of information, navigate the area, read the news and communicate. Much less often we can afford to download audio and video files. Modern online services require rapid development wireless technologies, increasing their speeds and quality of service. The latest and most advanced mobile communication standard introduced today is LTE technology, which belongs to the fourth generation of cellular communications (4G) and provides data transmission at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s. Thanks to 4G, we can already use YouTube and watch videos in HD quality. Under ideal conditions, the speed of LTE networks is comparable to a wired connection. An LTE improvement - LTE Advanced with a speed of 300 Mbit/s should also be released soon. For example, 1.5 GB of data will be downloaded in a minute. Main advantage newest generations cellular communications - increasing data transfer speeds in conditions of overloaded radio frequency ranges. Not only do they operate in this frequency spectrum mobile operators, but also TV companies, providers satellite communications, as well as about a dozen different telecommunications businesses. LTE makes it possible to use the radio spectrum more efficiently and provides access to modern services to a larger number of users simultaneously.
Technically available speed is up to 74 Mbit/s, but in fact it will be lower depending on the location of the signal reception, network congestion and the performance of your mobile device (speed limitation due to processor capabilities). You can achieve speeds of 74 Mbit/s only in close proximity base stations, and in Moscow, with normal network load, the average speed will be from 10-20 Mbit/s.
Transition to LTE standard
The transition to LTE entails the purchase of new models of mobile devices, since older smartphones and tablets cannot use existing 3G slots for the 4G generation SIM cards. You will have to choose a new gadget from the LTE devices officially presented in Russia, since unofficially supplied equipment may be blocked by the operator or the frequency range may not be supported. Then you will need to change your SIM card from your operator (for free) to one that supports LTE. In this case, you may have to reconnect mobile Internet banking and some other services where mobile authorization was used.
Selecting an operator and tariff
LTE technology for voice transmission (Voice over LTE) is still not available in Russia, but as for Internet access, here mobile operator Scartel offers unique unlimited tariffs. The most affordable tariff starts from 400 rubles/month with a maximum speed of 512 kbit/s. The price of the most expensive is 1,400 rubles per month in Moscow and St. Petersburg and 850 rubles per month in the regions. It offers speeds of up to 20 Mbps. Scartel subscribers can change their tariff plan as often as they like, and if there are no funds in their account, they can use free access to the Internet at speeds up to 64 kbit/s.
MegaFon has limited traffic on its LTE network: up to 40 GB per month (20 GB each day and night). To work with LTE, you must connect the option for data transfer from subscription fee from 1000 to 3000 rubles per month. There are also speed restrictions: the maximum speed in inexpensive LTE options is limited to 10 Mbit/s, but in expensive tariffs there are no speed limits, compared to Scartel.
LTE network in Moscow is also provided by MTS. The tariffs of this company are somewhat more comfortable than those of MegaFon: the subscription fee ranges from 500 to 1,400 rubles per month, the maximum traffic volume is from 4 to 25 GB, and the speed is not limited. However, the coverage area of the MTS network is slightly lower than that of MegaFon/Skartel.
Beeline's 4G network also operates in Moscow, and its launch in St. Petersburg is next. To connect it, you will need to get a USIM card with LTE support. The 4G coverage of Beeline's network in Moscow is greater than that of MTS, but less than that of MegaFon.
Selecting 4G devices
The initial problems of device compatibility with Russian LTE networks, as they were previously, have now been practically resolved and Russian users have access to a good selection of gadgets: about 30 devices with LTE support, the vast majority of which are modems and smartphones.
The Scartel company offers users a proprietary USB modem and a pocket Wi-Fi router with LTE support, as well as an Internet center for connecting multiple devices. The cost of the devices is 3000, 5000 and 6000 rubles, respectively. The router has a SIM card, but you cannot use it in another device. The company also recommends a number of laptop models Sony VAIO with built-in LTE modules.
Megafon initially offered only a USB modem for 3,000 rubles. Now you can get it for free, but you need to pay for two months of access to LTE Internet. The modem is much larger in size than the analogue from Scartel, but it provides operation in both LTE, 3G and GSM networks. A little later, a pocket Wi-Fi router costing 4,500 rubles appeared, again with support for both LTE and previous technologies. Megafon provides subscribers with a significantly larger coverage area. In addition, the modem from MegaFon supports both types of LTE - FDD and TDD.
It is worth noting that through the use of full-fledged SIM cards, the range of LTE subscriber equipment available to MegaFon users is constantly expanding. Thus, Megafon presented samsung tablet Galaxy Tab 8.9 and samsung smartphone Galaxy S III LTE. The list of phones supporting LTE-FDD in the 2.5-2.7 GHz range is also increasing: HTC Evo 4G, Sony Xperia ion, Nokia Lumia 900 and iPhone 5c/5s.
MTS uses TDD technology, and its range of subscriber equipment is limited to a USB modem and a pocket Wi-Fi router manufactured by Huawei. The cost of the devices is 2000 and 4800 rubles, respectively. Last year in Moscow, MTS also deployed an LTE-FDD network.
- Apple iPad Air
- Apple iPhone 5s
- Sony Xperia Tablet Z
- Sony Xperia Z
- LG G2
- Nokia Lumia 925, 1020 and 1520
- Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
- HTC One
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- BlackBerry Q10
- HTC One Mini
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Mobile routers
"Megafon Space" is a convenient device for home or office use in places where a wired Internet connection cannot be established. You can connect up to 32 devices to one router via Wi-Fi, a phone via VoIP - and still stay connected at LTE-Advanced speeds (up to 300 Mbit/s). The price of the device is steep and amounts to 12,000 rubles.
4G Huawei modem E392 can be purchased separately, without being tied to a telecom operator. But it’s more profitable to take a branded device from MTS. It is worth noting that the modem operates in both the FDD and TDD ranges. It also has a slot for microSD memory cards and a low price of 900 rubles.
4G Wi-Fi router from MTS comes complete with tariff plan"MTS Connect-4". The original name of the device is Huawei E5776s-22. It is capable of switching between 2G/3G/4G standards and distributing the Internet to ten users. Depending on the number of connected time battery life can be up to ten devices.
LTE standard and its variations: LTE Advanced
Bye LTE networks just being deployed, some operators are testing new technology- LTE Advanced. The Scartel operator has created two pilot LTE Advanced zones in Moscow. The speed on this network can reach 300 Mbit/s. But the main advantage of this technology is the ability for the operator to share different frequency sections from different ranges with a total width of up to 100 MHz. True, subscriber devices for this standard are not yet on sale.
Two types of LTE: FDD and TDD
A feature of LTE is a wide range of bands. At the same time, the description of the standard indicates which parts of each range can be used and for which of its two varieties.
Frequency-Division Duplexing (FDD) means that the frequencies for reception and transmission must be spaced between the lower and upper parts of the range. For example, in the range of 2.5-2.7 GHz the difference between such sections should be 120 MHz. Time-Division Duplex (TDD) assumes that reception and transmission are carried out on the same frequency with a time separation - in this case, the frequencies must be in the center of the range. These are two fundamentally different versions LTE, which affect subscriber and operator equipment and, as a result, the prevalence of one or another LTE option in Russia.
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