4G Speed vs. Range: Understanding LTE Performance

This article breaks down the differences between 4G speed and 4G range, providing valuable insights into the performance capabilities of 4G LTE networks.

What is 4G?

Introduction:

• 4G, short for Fourth Generation Wireless technology, is primarily designed for data transmission.
• It represents an evolution from its predecessors: 3G (UMTS at 384 Kbps), 3.5G (HSDPA/HSUPA at 2 Mbps), and 3.75G (HSPA+ at 30 Mbps).
• 4G is an IP-based technology engineered to deliver high-quality, high-speed, high-capacity, and low-cost services.
• It supports both stationary and mobile broadband services, adhering to the same 3GPP specifications as earlier cellular technologies like 2G and 3G.
• Technologies like Mobile WiMAX and LTE fall under the 4G umbrella.

4G operates across various frequency bands, ranging from 2 to 8 GHz, based on FDD and TDD topologies. The diagram above illustrates a typical LTE system architecture.

4G Speed

• “4G speed” refers to the rate at which data is transmitted over a 4G cellular network, measured in units of time. It’s also known as 4G throughput.

• The unit of measurement is typically Mbps (Megabits per second) or Gbps (Gigabits per second).

• The link from a 4G UE (User Equipment, e.g., a mobile phone) to an eNB (evolved Node B, i.e., a 4G base station) is called the uplink, while the reverse link is called the downlink.

• Downlink and uplink 4G speeds can differ due to variations in resource allocation, modulation techniques, and the number of antennas used in transmit/receive chains.

• Typically, 4G supports speeds of around 1 Gbps for stationary devices and 100 Mbps for high-mobility users, such as those on trains.

• The LTE throughput formula is shown below.
  

• 4G speed is approximately 10 times faster than 3G speed.

• In practical scenarios, 4G speeds of about 5 to 12 Mbps have been achieved in the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps in the uplink. Some 4G network operators have reported peak downlink speeds of up to 50 Mbps. As with other cellular technologies, downlink speed is often referred to as “download speed,” and uplink speed as “upload speed.”

4G Range

• The coverage range is the distance over which a 4G network provides cellular connectivity or 4G signals to serve 4G phones.
• Similar to 3G, a 4G network consists of multiple eNBs distributed across city regions. In 3G, the base station is known as a Node-B, whereas in 4G, it’s called an eNB.
• 4G generally offers a higher coverage range compared to both 3G and 5G.
• The range of a cellular system primarily depends on the power transmitted by 4G cellular towers. Areas with poor indoor 4G coverage are often supplemented by 4G small cells or femtocells, which act as repeaters between 4G mobiles and 4G cell towers.
• Most 4G networks offer a range of approximately 25 to 35 kilometers with good Line of Sight (LOS). In areas with poor LOS, a range of about 12 to 15 kilometers can be achieved. As mentioned, the 4G range is influenced by factors such as antenna gain, transmit power, the use of beamforming techniques, and the characteristics of the channel through which the 4G signal travels.