Is WiMAX or LTE the better 4G choice? - 0 views
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Gary Edwards on 24 Apr 10WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) is a fourth-generation (4G) telecommunications technology primarily for fast broadband. Also a 4G mobile technology, LTE allows a peak download speed of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) on mobile phones, compared with 20Mbps for 3G and 40Mbps for WiMAX. "For operators, the choice of technology depends on a number of things including available spectrum, legacy inter-working, timing and business focus," says Nokia Siemens Networks head of sub region, Asia South, Lars Biese. To deploy either technology, operators will have to commit tens of billions of dollars in network upgrades for the new mobility landscape, which now includes social, video, location-based and entertainment applications and experiences. Wing K. Lee says WiMAX and LTE more similiar than different. Also a 4G mobile technology, LTE allows a peak download speed of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) on mobile phones, compared with 20Mbps for 3G and 40Mbps for WiMAX. Some argue that LTE is the next step for mobile networks like GSM, WCDMA/HSPA and CDMA in the move to future networks and services. The common belief is that the natural migration path is from 2G to GPRS, from GPRS to 3G, and from 3G to LTE. But IDC Asia/Pacific's telecom research director Bill Rojas has a differing view. To him, LTE is a totally new set-up. It has been reported that LTE's main advantage over WiMAX, in addition to speed, is that it is part of the popular GSM technology and can allow backward compatibility with both 2G and 3G networks. A point many dispute. The new Sprint EVO is a 4G smartphone with chipsets for 2G, 3G, 3G enhanced, and 4G WiMAX. Sprint argues that LTE is just another chipset away.