What is the Difference Between LTE and LTE Advanced?

LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE Advanced are both forms of 4G mobile networks, but they differ in terms of data speeds and technological advancements. Here are the key differences between LTE and LTE Advanced:

1. Data Speeds: LTE provides peak data rates of up to 300 Mbps, while LTE Advanced enables peak data rates of up to 1 Gbps. LTE Advanced promises real-world speeds two to three times faster than those of regular LTE.
2. Carrier Aggregation: LTE Advanced uses carrier aggregation, which allows the network to use more bandwidth at once, resulting in improved data transfer speeds.
3. MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output): Both LTE and LTE Advanced employ MIMO technology, but LTE Advanced uses a higher number of antenna elements. It employs 8 x 8 MIMO in the downlink and 4 x 4 MIMO in the uplink, compared to 4 x 4 MIMO in both downlink and uplink for regular LTE.
4. Compatibility: LTE Advanced is backward- and forward-compatible, meaning that regular LTE phones can access an LTE Advanced network, but they won't benefit from the enhanced speed and better coverage.

In summary, LTE Advanced is an enhancement to the original LTE technology, offering faster data speeds, improved MIMO technology, and carrier aggregation for more efficient bandwidth usage.

Comparative Table: LTE vs LTE Advanced

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the cellular technology that 4G networks are based on, while LTE Advanced is an enhancement that improves the original LTE technology. Here is a table comparing the differences between LTE and LTE Advanced:

LTE Advanced is an improvement over the original LTE technology, offering higher peak and average data rates, support for carrier aggregation, and more advanced network enhancements.