when was the last time you did not use your phone? You know, life without data connectivity is difficult to imagine because we use our smartphone more than 100 times a day to share messages, calls, and updates our lives with our friends. In such a situation if connectivity is slow or poor then fret is bound to happen. But such difficulty is rarely seen in the 4G service of operators like MTN.
We spend hours daily on the Internet. In a way, the Internet has revolutionized our lives. But have you ever wondered how this amazing technique works and what the words related to it mean? So let’s understand the terminology of mobile.
4G
4G means fourth-generation cellular network technology. It is currently the most modern and fastest network of its kind in Ghana. 4G technology is better than 3G. In this, customers get better speed and better connectivity. users will be well aware of its benefits. For any network to be called 4G, one has to meet the standards of International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) related to Global Standard ie International Mobile Communications – Advanced. Only after fulfilling these conditions can a telecom operator call its network 4G. A 4G network has to fulfill several conditions. These include:
- All-IP Packet Switched Network
- Data speeds of 100 Mbps for high mobility and data speeds up to 1 Gbps for low mobility.
- Uninterrupted connectivity and global roaming
- Interoperability with existing wireless standards
- Smooth handover
The point to be noted here is that this fixed speed limit is the maximum limit. The speed that customers actually get is much less than this. Another important condition is modern and compatible transmission technology. With each generation, there has been a tremendous increase in data type, processing, and transfer capacity. Previously 1G was just an analog system, which turned into the digital transmission with 2G technology. With 3G, we experienced a strong network with speed and stability.
4G LTE
We now move to 4G LTE, which is often considered another name for 4G. But actually it is a type of 4G which means better speed wireless broadband connection. It is difficult for telecom companies to meet the scale of 4G set by ITU-R. In such a way LTE is the way through which 4G speed can be achieved and it is one step ahead of 3G speed. LTE-Advanced, likewise, is one step above LTE, which takes you very close to the fixed 4G speed with better speed and also provides better network stability.
It also has a radio transmission called MIMO. MIMO stands for Multiple Input and Multiple Output. MIMO transmits and receives signals under multipath propagation with the help of multiple antennae. Not only smartphones but now Wi-Fi routers are also using MIMO for better coverage.
LTE not only provides good data speed but also calls can be made over the LTE network. It is also called VoLTE (Voice over LTE). LTE is capable of carrying more data than older 3G networks, so you get better call quality and better network coverage within the home or office than ever before.
Till a few years ago, you had to check whether 4G connectivity is possible in your phone, ie whether it has the necessary hardware like modem, which can work at the 4G frequency or not. But now most phones have this hardware inbuilt even in dual sim phones.