Terminology » LTE » LTE vs LTE-M: Key Differences Explained

LTE vs LTE-M: Key Differences Explained

lte lte-m iot mobile communication wireless technology

This article breaks down the differences between LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE-M, two important cellular technologies. LTE is the general term for 4G LTE, while LTE-M is a specific type of LTE designed for Machine Communication, primarily targeting IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Let’s dive into the specifics.

Key Differences: LTE vs. LTE-M

The table below summarizes the key distinctions between these two technologies:

SpecificationsLTELTE-M
Specification3GPP Release 8/9 (Basic LTE), 3GPP Release 10 (Advanced LTE)3GPP Release 13 (Cat-M1), 3GPP Release 14 (Cat-M2)
AbbreviationLong Term Evolution, General term for all 4G LTELTE for Machine Communication (LTE with category M1), Such IoT devices connect directly with 4G LTE network without gateway
Device CostCostlierCheaper
BandwidthSupports various ranges of BW (i.e. 1.4MHz, 3.0MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz)Narrower BW (about 1.4 MHz)
Battery LifeShortLong, due to use of PSM (Power Saving Mode) and eDRX (extended Discontinuous Reception) modes; battery life up to 10 years can be achieved.
Maximum Data Rate300 Mbps Downlink (DL) with 4x4 MIMO and 20 MHz configurations, 75 Mbps Uplink (UL)About 100 Kbps to 360 Kbps
Service/Deployment CostsHigherLower
CoverageAbout 2 to 10 miles4 times of LTE
Number of DevicesLess than LTE-MSupports massive number of devices
Frequency BandsBands include 1 to 12, 13 to 25, 33 to 43.Release 13 provides the list of the supported bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 31, 39, 41 and Release 14 added the bands viz. 25 and 40.
Module SizeNot suitable as wearablesSuitable as wearables
Duplexing SupportSupport TDD and FDD (both full duplex or half duplex)Half duplex and full duplex for FDD and TDD, however currently supported frequency bands are only operating in FDD. Full duplex operation, which means that the device supports simultaneous transmission and reception, or half-duplex operation, which means that the device alternates between transmission and reception.

Explanation of key differences:

  • Use Case: LTE is designed for high-bandwidth applications like streaming video and browsing the internet, while LTE-M is geared towards low-power, low-bandwidth IoT devices like sensors and trackers.
  • Power Consumption: LTE-M is optimized for extremely low power consumption, allowing devices to run for years on a single battery. LTE’s power consumption is considerably higher.
  • Cost: LTE-M modules are generally cheaper than LTE modules, making them more suitable for mass deployment in IoT applications.
  • Coverage: LTE-M offers significantly improved coverage compared to standard LTE, enabling devices to connect in challenging environments.
  • Data Rate: LTE offers much higher data rates than LTE-M. This is a trade-off to achieve lower power consumption and wider coverage in LTE-M.
  • Number of devices: LTE-M can support a massive number of devices connected to a single cell, making it ideal for dense IoT deployments.

LTE and NB-IoT

It’s worth noting that NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) is another technology similar to LTE-M, also designed for low-power wide-area (LPWA) applications.