GSM vs. LTE: A Detailed Comparison of Cellular Technologies

gsm
lte
cellular
wireless
telecommunication

This article provides a comprehensive comparison between GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), two prominent cellular wireless technologies. Understanding the differences between these technologies is crucial in the context of modern telecommunications.

GSM vs. LTE: Key Differences

The following table summarizes the key specifications and differences between GSM and LTE:

FeatureGSMLTE
Full FormGlobal System for Mobile CommunicationLong Term Evolution
Frequency Band (MHz)GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900LTE supports frequency Band 1 to 25, band 33 to band 43.
Channel Bandwidth200KHzRelease 8 supports 1.4MHz, 3MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, and 20MHz
Access SchemeFDMA/TDMAOFDMA (Downlink), SC-FDMA (Uplink)
TopologyFDD (Frequency Division Duplex)TDD (Time Division Duplex) and FDD
Frame StructureTwo types: 26-frame MF (120ms, traffic) and 51-frame MF (235.4ms, control)Supports TDD and FDD frame structures, 10ms total frame duration
Modulation MethodGMSKQPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
Physical LayerGSM Physical layer composed of modules which include forward error correction ,interleaving,ciphering, burst building,multiplexing, differential encoding, GMSK modulation etc. It is same on both base station and subscriber station side.Different for both the UE and eNodeB, UE uses SC-FDMA in the transmit while eNodeB uses OFDMA in the transmit side.
Channel NumberARFCN (Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number)EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number)
Protocol StackPHY, LAPDm, RRM, MM, CM layers at Mobile Subscriber (MS).PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC.
Channel TypesLogical and Physical Channels.Logical, Physical, and Transport Channels.
Network Architecturegsm network architectureLTE network architecture
ApplicationMainly for voice calls, GPRS/EGPRS needed for data callsMainly for data calls
Advanced FeaturesSupports GSM advanced features such as MUROS, VAMOS, SAIC, MSRDLTE Advanced (Release-10) supports MIMO, beamforming, Carrier Aggregation, etc.
Cell Search Procedure
MIMO SupportGSM advanced supports 2x2 MIMOLTE Advanced supports 4x4 and 8x8 MIMO, supports multi-user and co-operative MIMO
Security AspectsUses A3, A5, and A8 algorithms for encryption.Five LTE security groups described in 3GPP 33.401 document
UE CategoriesSupports different categories for multislot configuration mainly to provide GPRS support
Throughput
Modulation Efficiency1.35 b/s/HzDownlink cell: 1.69 bps/Hz/user (2x2 MIMO), 2.67 (4x4 MIMO - LTE Standard), 2.4 and 3.7 respectively for LTE-Advanced standard
Timers
Measurements

Key Takeaways

  • Purpose: GSM primarily focused on voice communication, while LTE is designed for high-speed data transmission.
  • Efficiency: LTE offers significantly higher spectral efficiency and throughput compared to GSM.
  • Advanced Features: LTE supports advanced features like MIMO and carrier aggregation, leading to improved performance.
  • Network Architecture: The network architectures of GSM and LTE differ substantially to accommodate their respective functionalities.
  • Security: Both technologies employ security mechanisms, but LTE uses more advanced security protocols.

By understanding these differences, you can gain a clearer perspective on the evolution of cellular wireless technologies and the advantages of LTE over GSM in modern communication systems.

GSM, CDMA, and LTE Job Opportunities

Explore GSM, CDMA, and LTE job opportunities across various platforms and companies. Find your next role in telecom and wireless technologies.

telecom
wireless
gsm
15 GSM Interview Questions and Answers

15 GSM Interview Questions and Answers

Ace your GSM job interview with these 15 commonly asked questions and detailed answers covering call flows, frame structure, channel types, and more.

gsm
interview
telecom

Frequency Error in GSM: An Essential Overview

Explore frequency error measurement in GSM, its importance for signal quality, interference prevention, network synchronization, and compliance with GSM standards.

gsm
frequency error
signal quality