LTE vs. WLAN: A Detailed Comparison of Wireless Technologies

This article outlines the key differences between LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), two prominent technologies used for data communication. We’ll explore their characteristics, applications, and how they compare.

LTE Overview

LTE is a 4G mobile communication standard, evolving from 3GPP Release 8 and beyond. It serves as an upgrade path for existing 3G cellular technologies, focusing on delivering high-speed internet access. While primarily known for data, LTE also supports voice communication via VoIP (Voice over IP) and can fall back to older cellular systems like GSM and HSPA for voice services.

LTE and its successor, LTE-Advanced, have gained significant traction due to their all-IP based network architecture. For more in-depth information, refer to an LTE tutorial.

WLAN Overview

A Wireless LAN (WLAN) acts as a bridge, connecting end-user devices to the wired network infrastructure (computers, servers, and routers). The IEEE 802.11 family of standards governs WLAN technology, specifying the PHY (Physical Layer) and MAC (Media Access Control) layer protocols.

Different 802.11 standards (e.g., 802.11b, 802.11a/g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad) offer varying data rates and coverage distances. Check out a WLAN tutorial for deeper insights.

The Interplay of LTE and WLAN

With WLAN capabilities now commonplace in smart devices and the prevalence of low-cost Wi-Fi networks, integrating LTE and WLAN provides an economical solution for meeting the ever-growing demand for data. Data offloading from congested LTE cellular networks to WLANs has become crucial for telecom operators dealing with increased data traffic.

However, LTE and WLAN coexistence presents challenges, particularly concerning security. Not all Wi-Fi hotspots are secure. Another concern is that not all WLAN access points (APs) are connected to the same core network a cellular subscriber is subscribed to.

LTE vs. WLAN: Key Differences

The following table summarizes the key differences between LTE and WLAN technologies.