LTE or WIMAX: Is 3G on the Decline?

November 28, 2017

Communication technology is perhaps one of the most dynamic in the world. The fact that no new technology lasts decades shows its constant evolution, despite billions of dollars in investments on every new invention.

Mobile communication witnessed technological revolution with the advent of 2G, which was closely followed by a better and faster 3G. Both technologies were superb, with 3G ruling the world of mobile communication with over four billion subscribers over the two billion on 2G.

Smartphones were fast upgrading to 3G networks, because these were the first with adequate speed to offer a modest user experience. The system looked to rule for decades to come, until 4G LTE and WIMAX inventions start to threaten the once successful 3G network that had grown to be the global darling of mobile communication.

LTE or WIMAX: the Future is Getting Brighter

WIMAX stands for worldwide interoperability for microwave access. It is a basis for long-distance wireless networks. It supports many modes that wireless usage is involved in: as a channel to transfer data across service provider network, as a substitute for satellite internet by providing wireless internet service in a fixed mode and offering users larger bandwidth compared to the 3G network.

In reality, WIMAX operates in a similar manner to WiFi but at a higher speed, covering a longer distance and to a larger number of users. It is expected to be the future of broadband access in remote areas where providers are yet to run cables.

The strength of WIMAX is its ability to travel a long distance of several miles and transmit massive data at a rate of 75 Mbps to two Gbps. However, it has restriction due to its high cost compared to the 3G network.

Many people accept that LTE is the authentic 4G technology. It worth noting that when service providers mention 4G without the mention of LTE, they are usually referring to HSPA, high-speed packet access, which is faster than 3G network but not as fast as LTE network.

Theoretically, LTE is faster than 3G, the speed is estimated to be as high as ten times faster, though this may be affected by network load and signal strength. It is arguably the fastest network around even if it is not fast enough to meet the laboratory speed due to many factors that may hinder its speed.

If you desire the best speed when surfing the internet or you have loads of data to push along the internet, LTE is best that can offer the lasting user experience goal that you crave.

The fact is both WIMAX and LTE (long term evolution) are technologies that are emerging in the wireless high-speed broadband wireless network. They offer universal broadband wireless connectivity on laptops, smartphones and computing gadgets.

3G Network Still Rules the Market

Most smartphones come with 3G facilities because that is what most providers have the infrastructure to support. The truth is that voice accounts for about 50 percent of income generated by mobile phone service providers, while this edge is not the selling point of LTE.

The truth that most subscribers use their mobile phones for voice will continue to make 3G relevant for years to come, though this may not be the case in the future. We also can’t precisely predict the market movement when nations in the developing world are more into voice calls.

Even with the question of LTE or WIMAX, 3G is still a force to reckon with when you need voice services and is a network that is relatively affordable. The future may not be as bright as LTE may seem, since there were inventions in the past that couldn’t stand the test of time, possibly because of the cost of deployment. There is no need to worry about the future, 3G will still dominate the telecom industry for a while.

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