Difference Between LTE and WiMax

[ndh777]

I'm kinda new to all this but I've heard these names thrown around and haven't really learned what they are exactly.

I know for a fact that they are in the business of providing phone carriers with 4G connectivity.

I am unsure of whether they are companies, hardware whether inside the phone and/or on the cell sites, or they are software for the phones and/or cell sites.


I'm asking on this forum to get down to earth and simple answers rather than read two, whole articles from Wikipedia or some place else on the web.

 

[RiverOfIce]

Ok, basic answers here.

Wimax is simply the next generation of wifi for cities.

Wimax was created with one goal and idea, be as much like wifi as you humanly make it, just cover larger areas, lans to mans. (local area networks) to (municipal area networks). Wimax is like wifi, which means once you have it, you have complete control of it. It is mobile broadband.

Companies like intel, google, sprint, comcast, time warner, and a few dozen other created it as an open platform. What I mean by open platform is simple, any device, any network. If you walk past an intel campus, your wimax device will work on their wimax network as well as sprints. If you walk past comcasts wimax network, it will work on that network too.

Regardless of the towers, who own them, which device, wimax device will work. And deeper then that, one of the core ideas behind wimax is you can not block device or service. You can not charge extra for youtube. You can not restrict users to only your websites. You can not filter or reduce in size anything on the internet. As it is given to normal broadband users it was given to wimax users.

The last part of wimax is that in the united states, it was give to the 2.5ghz range. This was done for many reasons, but the number one strength of wimax is the simple fact that it can daisy change together dozens if not hundreds of wimax towers. Which means wimax is created to be more like a web, hundreds of towers all connecting you.


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LTE is simply the next generation of 3g service from cellphone companies.

LTE was created pretty much by Verizon. The main idea was to allow as much control over the network, as humanly possible, to lay with verizon. The LTE group was created to make sure that the people that have 100% control over how the network is used. The big advantages with lte is it can make content available to pretty much anyone. Have a dumb phone, lte can reduce the youtube video to fit that.

But what really helps out is that lte can shape traffic. For example, a customer wants to get directions from California to New York. With the current 3g system, he would probably use google maps. Now there is a lot of people that believe that google maps could get him lost, so with lte, those people could stop google maps services, if he searched for google maps on the market it, it would not appear. If he got the apk from someone, he would be told that he google maps would probably get him lost, so for his safety, he should use verizon's map. It is only $4.99 per month more. Now lte will not allow him to use google maps, lte will just block the service. LTE could offer him the option to use google maps, but that would be $9.99. (not factual, just examples of how lte can make your life safer by controlling what you access on the internet)

You can see how that would help the consumer. I know a lot of people that use their iphone sim, and transfer it to their ipad. LTE will see that the att iphone plan is not the ipad plan, and prevent the user from abusing the network. This would make a lot of people happy because abuse is bad.

LTE, in the usa, is deployed on the 700mhz spectrum. Which means it goes long distances, but gets interfered with by electro magmatic sources. Power lines, cell towers, radio stations, tv's, microwaves, toaters, all mess with 700mhz. Ever turn on your microwave and your tv would get all fuzzy? 700mhz.
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The basic difference between wimax and lte is simply money.

Wimax ideal was created in the same ideal as broadband to your house. You pay a one monthy fee and you can access what ever you want, that is legal. The downside is that small dumb/mobile devices cant really handle the whole internet.

LTE ideal was to make it so verizon and att can offer service to any device they approve. They have 100% control and can charge for any part of the internet they want. Google maps 10 bucks more a month. Youtube 5 bucks. Facebook 5 bucks. Myspace 5 bucks. News sites, 1 dollar per this group of 10 sites. 3 dollars for that group of sites. What to visit facebook, only through our app. Want to visit youtube, only through our app.

The control is very much needed to maximize profits and to off service to every mobile device.

 

[RiverOfIce]

So after saying all that, am I for or against lte, well kind of both. LTE is very much needed. I really dont think verizon will create a evil system in which it would charge everyone for everything. What is possible is not always what is probable.

Wimax is not going to go away. But everyone wants sprint to jump ship to lte.

Here is the two simple facts why I think that would be another stupid move in a long line of stupid moves.

1.) They would have zero control over their own network. That LTE group I talked about, well they vote on things like prices for youtube, and what services can be offer. Sprint is not part of that group, they could not vote to determine their own network use.

2.) Roaming looks like a bust. The spectrum used by verizon, att, tmobile, they are not making the phones so they can cross over. There is also sim locks on the phones. Verizon knows everything about the device the minute the sime is plugged in, which is why I thought they would skip the sim all together. But the newier LTE phones do not send or receive on anything near att network. Roaming is dead.

3.) They would convert their own wimax network to lte. It would not improve anything, it would just like uninstalling fedora and installing ubuntu. The network would not magically become bigger. The speed would not magically increase. You could not roam. You could not use another carriers device. Nothing would change but the name.

 

[ndh777]

Wow...thank you very much for all of that information.

Admittedly when I read your parts on WiMax versus LTE, I did start thinking that perhaps you were more for WiMax. But if what you say is true, it does sound like WiMax is a better choice.

It now makes sense why Sprint would choose it and AT&T and Verizon would go with LTE.

I know AT&T and Verizon to be huge companies that care very little about customers and more about making more and more money. Hence Sprint's $69.99 plan versus AT&T and Verizon's pathetic $69.99 plans which only cover unlimited calling.

WiMax sounds like a much better idea in the sense that it is like a wifi and I can use it just about anywhere that there is WiMax even if it is Comcast, my school's internet, etc. and not be considered roaming.

At first, I was pissed about shelling out an extra $10 a month for 4G on Sprint, but now you've made me feel a little better that Sprint chose WiMax. I thought they were just being dumb again and choosing some outdated stuff like with their iDen network and other things they do.

Thanks again for the explanation. It really helped me understand what this is all about and why they probably chose what they chose.

 

[TheEngineer]

Look them both up on Wikipedia. There is not a tremendous difference between the two and the explanation given so far is pretty whacked out.

Sprint chose Wimax because it was what was available at the time. It is already testing LTE as that seems to be the standard that the industry is settling on. Offering LTE will just require a software change on the base stations.

As far as frequencies, it makes no difference. Wimax is on 2500 simply because that it the frequency range that Clear controls. When Sprint completes its Network Vision program, it will be sporting a multimode network with service on 800-900 (after IDEN is decommissioned), 1900 (CDMA), and 2500 (depending on what happens to the spectrum owned by Clear which Sprint owns 52% of). Higher frequencies can handle more capacity but don't penetrate walls well and don't transmit as far. Low frequencies are just the opposite. Combined, your phone/data device will choose the best range... whether the protocol is Wimax or LTE.

 

[ndh777]

Look them both up on Wikipedia. There is not a tremendous difference between the two and the explanation given so far is pretty whacked out.

Sprint chose Wimax because it was what was available at the time. It is already testing LTE as that seems to be the standard that the industry is settling on. Offering LTE will just require a software change on the base stations.

As far as frequencies, it makes no difference. Wimax is on 2500 simply because that it the frequency range that Clear controls. When Sprint completes its Network Vision program, it will be sporting a multimode network with service on 800-900 (after IDEN is decommissioned), 1900 (CDMA), and 2500 (depending on what happens to the spectrum owned by Clear which Sprint owns 52% of). Higher frequencies can handle more capacity but don't penetrate walls well and don't transmit as far. Low frequencies are just the opposite. Combined, your phone/data device will choose the best range... whether the protocol is Wimax or LTE.

Seeing how long his response was...I suppose this is something I will just have to read from Wikipedia and cannot fully be explained here. I suppose I will because, as I said before, I know almost nothing about either so I can't take your word or his word for it.

Thanks for the answers anyway. I'll just hit up Wikipedia and see what answers they have to offer.

 

[TheEngineer]

It always best to research for yourself.

But in the end, it is beyond your control what the carriers settle on. All you can do is learn about it if you are curious. As a Sprint employee, it is more important to me know where the company is heading to decide whether or not to pursue internal opportunities.

 

[ndh777]

It always best to research for yourself.

But in the end, it is beyond your control what the carriers settle on. All you can do is learn about it if you are curious. As a Sprint employee, it is more important to me know where the company is heading to decide whether or not to pursue internal opportunities.

Yeah, I thought I could get a summary of it rather than reading through pages, but I guess not. I was a bit worried about RiverOfIce's response because he sounded so for WiMax and putting down LTE. I had heard before that WiMax is basically a large Wifi area from others so I don't think that part's wrong, and I do know about V and A's record of spending...but anyway...I'll just read it there. Thanks.

It is out of my control, but at least I have some other options if I don't want to go with or the other. If LTE is as bad as it sounds and Sprint moves over, I may leave Sprint or just not get a 4G device.

 

[TheEngineer]

Wimax is nothing like WiFi, actually. That is a common misconception. And there is nothing wrong with LTE. Personally, I wish Clear would deploy Wimax 2. Blazing fast and backwards compatible with Wimax. Unfortunately the company is cash-strapped.

 

[eieio]

X2 on wimax 2, ROI is a she

 

[eluno]

my vote goes to wimax.

 

[RiverOfIce]

1.) Wimax shares a lot in common with wifi. A lot. You could really call them brother if not cousin technologies.

Am I for wimax? Yes I am. Why? Because I just don't want to be nickel and dime to death. Wimax promises the internet with out rule or restrictions. LTE is a lot more like how they work current cable tv. Channels 1-30=$40 dollars. Channels 31-60=$60 dollars. Channel 61-101=$90 dollars. ect.

As for the specs and tech?

Wimax does 2 thing a lot better then LTE.

1.) Wimax, being an IEEE 802.xx protocol, is about as secure as your home cable connection. LTE uses older protocols that are very hackable.

2.) Wimax interfaces with the towers in a way that is genus.

As for the speed, same. As for the usability, same. Both technologies offer the user the same experiences.

Bottom line. LTE offer complete control for the companies to charge what ever they want. Wimax guarantee that will never happen.

When you say you prefer lte over wimax, you are only saying that you want the cellphone companies to have more ability to charge you more, for what you are currently getting for free.

So yes, I like wimax. Well sprint go to lte, that was never in doubt, the only question is on what terms. If you read what I have been saying all along, you will find the answer.

 

[ndh777]

I found that both of you are correct in different areas. I found a few websites that showed differences between the two and showed what each one was aside from the other.

 

[Gavisann]

Isn't Wimax slower than LTE? I can get about 2.5 mbps on 4g but I have seen 10+ mbps on LTE.

 

[jallp82]

Well both can operate at theoretical speeds faster than what they are at.

Wikipedia
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a telecommunications protocol that provides fixed and mobile Internet access. The current WiMAX revision provides up to 40 Mbit/s[1][2] with the IEEE 802.16m update expected to offer up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speeds. The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. The forum describes WiMAX[3] as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL".[4]

The LTE specification provides downlink peak rates of at least 100 Mbps, an uplink of at least 50 Mbps and RAN round-trip times of less than 10 ms.

Here is my thoughts. WiMax can handle Netflix streaming in HD and is unlimited. What would you really need a fester speed for? Having a faster speed but having a limit will only make you hit that limit much quicker in my opinion.

 

[NOMster]

i actually prefer wimax if it means unlimited. but yes, wimax 2 would be fantastic. hopefully sprint wont abandon it completely and will upgrade to wimax 2 during network vision.

 

[RiverOfIce]

The fastest real world test for wimax currently stands at 156mbps down. The fastest for lte is currently 123mbps down.


Both of them can beat the required specs.

Wimax will always be faster then lte, product of the spectrum and protocols used.

 

[PyroJing]

Isn't Wimax slower than LTE? I can get about 2.5 mbps on 4g but I have seen 10+ mbps on LTE.

This is what I noticed which is why I was supporting LTE so much, but then I was pointed out this is because WiMax has been out longer and there are more devices that work with it. LTE is relatively new so they don't have as many customers bogging down the bandwidth.

Once WiMax 2 is available or even when Sprint is allowed to increase the WiMax spectrum to allow more data to pass through, speed won't be much of an issue.

 

[Kauai]

Okay, so here is a question. I'm seriously considering switching to Sprint and would like a 4G phone. But with their recent testing of LTE, if they were to suddenly switch to LTE from WiMax at some point in the future...wouldn't my supposed 4G Sprint phone become defunct as far as 4G is concerned? Not to mention the resale value would plummet.

 

[PyroJing]

Okay, so here is a question. I'm seriously considering switching to Sprint and would like a 4G phone. But with their recent testing of LTE, if they were to suddenly switch to LTE from WiMax at some point in the future...wouldn't my supposed 4G Sprint phone become defunct as far as 4G is concerned? Not to mention the resale value would plummet.

As I've stated in other threads I don't see WiMAX going away because it relies on a separate form of technology to push data. Now whether both will be supported as much I'm not sure and might have a bigger impact on the future of WiMAX.

If you are that worried about it though, you could try to wait for the LightSquared LTE to be launched when I'm sure Sprint will have a WiMAX/LTE phone so you can have the best of both worlds. I expect this to happen sometime next year.

The way I see it though WiMAX is here to stay for at least 3 more years if it doesn't get picked up as a campus and/or city based Wi-Fi method, especially with WiMAX 2 coming next year about 18 months before we'll probably see LTE-Advanced. By that time if you get a WiMAX phone now and things take a turn for the worse for it, you should be up for a new phone to upgrade to by then.

 

[OutofDate1980]

... But what really helps out is that lte can shape traffic. For example, a customer wants to get directions from California to New York. With the current 3g system, he would probably use google maps. Now there is a lot of people that believe that google maps could get him lost, so with lte, those people could stop google maps services, if he searched for google maps on the market it, it would not appear. If he got the apk from someone, he would be told that he google maps would probably get him lost, so for his safety, he should use verizon's map. It is only $4.99 per month more. Now lte will not allow him to use google maps, lte will just block the service. LTE could offer him the option to use google maps, but that would be $9.99. (not factual, just examples of how lte can make your life safer by controlling what you access on the internet) ...

It appears ROI saw this coming. Verizon Wireless blocks Google Wallet payment app from new Nexus ‘superphone’ - The Washington Post

"Verizon Wireless is blocking Google

 

[Infostack]

Are device costs an issue between Wimax and LTE? Also, I am very interested in offload solutions. Do both approaches treat offload equally? Or is one better than the other.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[SamiSharma]

Both WIMAX and LTE were 4G technologies which aim to improve the limitations of 3G technology or third generation technology.
The main difference of them is the usage of network; WIMAX required new technology while LTE is evolved from the old one that make LTE gain more competitive advantage because of the exiting users of the old network.
And another important factor is frequency; About half of populations in the world were located in the place that already received the license of using WIMAX such as, TDD 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz.