After writing up a storm about the next-generation cellular Long-Term Evolution standard a few weeks ago, I noticed that several commenters were confused, critical or just plain wrong about LTE and WiMax, the other 4G network. So I called a few people and tried to figure out the salient differences between the two. First, both are 4G technologies designed to move data rather than voice. Both are IP networks based on OFDM technology — so rather than rivals such as GSM and CDMA, they’re more like siblings. But sibling rivalry does exist, so there’s still plenty of differences to hash out.
Let’s start with the genesis of the two technologies.WiMax is based on a IEEE standard (802.16), and like that other popular IEEE effort, Wi-Fi, it’s an open standard that was debated by a large community of engineers before getting ratified. In fact, we’re still waiting on the 802.16m standard for faster mobile WiMax to be ratified. The level of openness means WiMax equipment is standard and therefore cheaper to buy — sometimes half the cost and sometimes even less. Depending on the spectrum alloted for WiMax deployments and how the network is configured, this can mean a WiMax network is cheaper to build.
If WiMax is the hippie, grass-roots parents on “Family Ties,” LTE is closer to Alex P. Keaton. The players determining the LTE standard through the 3GPP are comprised of carriers and equipment vendors who have been buying and selling the same proprietary boxes for years. The open, standards-based way of doing business isn’t exactly their modus operandi.
Fred Wright, an SVP that handles 4G networks for Motorola, believes LTE will be the standard chosen by 80 percent of the carriers in the world — good news for vendors such as such as Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson, who have opted to stick with LTE. Of course, as GSM is the dominant mobile standard today, such a prediction isn’t all that surprising.
However, LTE will take time to roll out, with deployments reaching mass adoption by 2012 . WiMax is out now, and more networks should be available later this year. As for speeds, LTE will be faster than the current generation of WiMax, but 802.16m that should be ratified in 2009 is fairly similar in speeds.
So despite their differences in origin and current availability, the two siblings may grow closer with time, especially as newer iterations on the standard emerge. Wright said 85 percent of the work and technology for WiMax equipment will be reused in Motorola’s LTE equipment designs. The true battle isn’t between the competing 4G networks, but between wireless and wired broadband.
“The performance and capabilities of WiMax and LTE will only get better over time, and will represent a direct competitive threat to the existing broadband services,” Wright says. “People will make a choice, just like today when people are disconnecting their wired lines for voice.”
It’s an ambitious goal, and aside from the networking technology, things such as backhaul capacity, and availability of network devices will determine how wireless our world will become.
14 trackbacks so far
12:30 AM PT
[...] The premier place for symbian users, supported with the No. one smart phone discussion forum wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt After writing up a storm about the next-generation cellular Long-Term Evolution standard a few weeks ago, I noticed that several commenters were confused, critical or just plain wrong about LTE and WiMax, the other 4G network. So I called a few people and tried to figure out the salient differences between the two. First, both are 4G technologies designed to move data rather than voice. Both are IP networks based on OFDM technology — so rather than rivals such as GSM and CDMA, they’re more lik [...]
11:03 AM PT
[...] Капитал LTE можел да препъне WiMax. Според GigaOM - по-скоро ще се [...]
5:00 PM PT
[...] is now sampling chips, has some cool attributes worth nothing, especially for those interested in 4G mobile networks. First off, the chip it’s launching today — to deliver Mobile WiMax — is really [...]
10:28 PM PT
[...] also wants to get the network up and running so they upstage AT&T and Verizon in the 4G race. (Read: LTE vs WiMAX) Sprint did quite well when it launched its PCS network before rivals and won market share by [...]
7:45 AM PT
[...] Om Malik, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7:45 AM PT Comments (0) The awkwardly named Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology is pulling ahead in the race for the 4G wireless networks. If carrier plans are any indication, Ultra Mobile Broadband, the upgrade technology for CDMA networks, is quickly becoming a non-factor. Even WiMAX, which was at one point seen as offering significant cost and time advantages, has started to lose out to LTE. [...]
8:08 AM PT
[...] The awkwardly named Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology is pulling ahead in the race for the 4G wireless networks. If carrier plans are any indication, Ultra Mobile Broadband, the upgrade technology for CDMA networks, is quickly becoming a non-factor. Even WiMAX, which was at one point seen as offering significant cost and time advantages, has started to lose out to LTE. [...]
9:54 AM PT
[...] because of a perceived fear of WiMAX or a sudden spurt in data revenues, the LTE announcements made earlier this year didn’t come as a [...]
4:17 PM PT
[...] is a good chance this service comes out before the wireless guys roll out their LTE [...]
10:11 AM PT
[...] Why Nortel Chose LTE - NetworkWorld discusses the motivations behind Nortel’s LTE decision LTE vs. WiMAX - GigaOM explores this 4G sibling [...]
10:15 PM PT
[...] (0) We have been following the emergence of 4G technologies pretty closely, including the looming battle between WiMAX and Long Term Evolution (LTE). As part of this continuing coverage, we are going to give you [...]
5:50 AM PT
[...] Stacey Higginbotham, LTE vs WiMAX: A Little 4G Sibling Rivalry [...]
12:04 PM PT
[...] WiMax/LTE are coming quickly. Broadband gives us a high resolution experience, a rich media experience. Mobile devices will display and record HDTV by 2012. [...]
5:14 AM PT
[...] (link) [...]
10:17 PM PT
[...] Wolff also said that Clearwire is building the Clear network with equipment that can also be used for LTE deployments, meaning if LTE becomes necessary, Clearwire can upgrade its network more easily. [...]
16 comments so far
2:32 AM PT
YYour point about the ‘openness’ (sorry if the word does not exist) of LTE and WiMAX is not clear to me. In terms of access to the standards’ documents, for example, LTE is more open (IEEE draft standards are not accessible to non IEEE members unless you pay, whilst all the documents in 3GPP are accessible). Standards in 3GPP are more detailed than in IEEE (the latter incorporate a number of optional features, I suppose in order to facilitate their approval), but IEEE standards for WiMAX are later refined and complemented in some aspects (e.g., network architecture) by WiMAX Forum (i.e., 3GPP = IEEE + WiMAX Forum). And WiMAX Forum is certainly less open than 3GPP.
The one thing that is not true hitherto is that WiMAX equipment is cheaper than 3GPP standards equipment. I work for a large operator and have been involved in RFI/RFQ processes, and I can assure you that as of today WiMAX base stations are not cheaper than HSPA ones, for example. Besides the fact that a number of components are very similar or the same (racks, power amplifiers, even processing cards, etc.), the economies of scale are the fundamental factor that dictates the final price. And as of today, numbers are on the 3GPP side.
4:14 AM PT
interesting article but no mention of 3GPP ‘bridge’ technologies (such as HSPA+) which will offer advanced rates in the interim period waiting for LTE. This negates the advantage of time you’ve suggested WiMAX has over LTE.
Still the main question boils down to infrastructure cost, the 3GPP route will involve less investment, upgrades from 3/3.5G to 4G, as opposed to totally new WiMAX kit - both hardware and software. Not to mention the fact of reliability, the 3GPP route has legacy whereas WiMAX is coming in from left-field - it will be interesting to see if operators are prepared to take this gamble, or let someone else do it first.
I still think WiMAX is destined for more success in developing countries, where there is less of a 3G legacy and therefore the issue of investment cost is levelled.
8:44 AM PT
Can’t Wimax be put up twice as fast as LTE, and works father than LTE and is less expensive?? I mean Wimax seems like the way to go. Now sprint needs to get that moving or Google if they won the Spectrum. I’d rather have Wimax.. Let’s go Spring get that To Boston…
4:21 PM PT
Clonmore: If WiMax is IP-enabled and has much lower operating expenditures than HSPA+, does it still negate its time advantage over LTE? If so, please explain why.
6:17 PM PT
A wimax presentation
(link)
10:13 PM PT
80% of the world will go to LTE (I think it will be closer to 90%). The wildly successful biggest carriers in the USA (AT&T, Verizon) are going to LTE. The punch drunk, comical, and strategically challenged Sprint is going to use WiMax. Hmm, as a manufacturer of cool mobile devices who will I target for my best devices?
Game over, WiMax will be a cute little rural niche. Do I paint a correct picture, or do I exaggerate?
1:15 AM PT
Hey wait a minute! Philadelphia may be “colder” than Austin, but by Tartu standards it is almost tropical (a bit of fun from probably the only reader who has lived in both places).
4:14 AM PT
@Shah, my point is that if you’re an operator on 3PGG you get enhanced network performance by upgrading to HSPA+ (software and i think moderate hardware upgrades) at a lesser cost to the financial outlay on a totally new infrastructure in the form of WiMAX. Cost on HSPA+ is less and yet the service improvement offers a bridge between 3G and LTE.
Whether of not WiMAX is IP-based is not important, it is all about QoS for the customer. I’m by no means an advocate of HSPA/LTE but this point hadn’t been addressed.
11:23 AM PT
I think LTE being based on a flat architecture, there are more parallels between WiMaX and LTE than the differences. In long term, the evolution (Pun intended) would be driven by cost factor and timing.
WiMaX at this stage has benefit of timing, whereas LTE trumps from cost factor (upgrade path). If 80% operators move towards LTE in the future, then it remains to be seen how much interoperability would be implemented between this two competing standards and how much the big operators would be willing to make that happen.
Having said that, LTE has interim solutions as mentioned by Clonmore, whereas WiMaX is working on 802.16m to match LTE on performance levels. Looking at whole picture, we see quite similar architectures in 2012, but question is how do you get there ?
Disclaimer: I work for NSN and have worked on both technologies and do not advocate any one in particular.
1:18 PM PT
I completely agree with Clonmore. Hey, even now, EV-DO Rev B and HSPA have higher throughput than Wimax(802.16e). The only way Wimax could be widely successful is if Intel integrates it in all it’s chips, and consumers find it easier to upgrade using laptop rather than just the operator.. kind of like finding wifi.
11:54 AM PT
The only difference between WiMax and LTE for me is that Wimax is available now and LTE is not!
Mainly consumers have the choice between Cable, DSL and Wimax. So far to my knowledge only ClearWire is offering Wimax. So why talking about LTE all the time if not available yet? Instead promote Wimax like I did in Grants Pass OR, I sold more than 700 so far and all my clients love it! They don’t care if it is LTE or Wimax only that it is available and affordable.
So if ATT, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and Other want to sleep and wait for LTE too bad for the consumer. Hopefully Google will see that as an opportunity. If a French man can sell more than 700 ClearWire in one year in a small rural city in Oregon. One can only imagine what Google could do by investing in ClearWire!!!
2:03 PM PT
Wimax will be game changer in Wireless Industry. Basically, unleashing wired IP to Mobile IP. Watch out, Cisco, Wireless Carriers and even Cable Operators(WiMAX technically provide Cable Channels).
9:26 AM PT
Yes, the “Open” standard will mean that different manufactures can compete to sell base stations to operators, but more importantly, it means that users can buy service from ANY provider within range. This is good for schools and colleges who may hold licenses (particularly the 4th channel or mid band part of their license. While many have leased 3 of their four channels to Sprint, they can use their forth one on their campus for all kinds of service directly to student hand sets and laptops. LTE will never allow that.
11:43 AM PT
I think the Mobile operators and cellular equipment providers are dead wrong in their approach to mobile broadband. They have been minting money of cell phones and their infrastructure, so they believe the world for mobile data is just the same. In fact all the cell phones in the world combined together is no match for the amount of data consumed on notebook computers. So if they keep drinking koolaid keep proclaiming LTE, instead of understanding why WiMAX was created and what really drives it, the market forces will wipe them out. Go WiMAX!
10:28 AM PT
Who are the antenna vendors offering product for both WiMax and 3GPP LTE?
8:26 AM PT
Let me give you a real world practical interpretation of LTE Vs Wimax Vs all other technologies debate. The physical result of 6-month technology debate resulted in creation of Wateen Telecom in Pakistan, which has the most futuristic architecture.
It is WiMAX 802.16e Local Loop, HFC and a national wide IP/MPLS infrastructure to deliver any service.
As the company strategist and commercial head, the technology selection guidelines and criteria given for the new greenfield operations was summed up in two future-proof arguments.
(a) Need a technology “available today”, that can delivery all services delivered on copper local loop, and equivalent BW at 50%-75% better price OR 4 X more simulated capacity/ on demand bandwidth (like when customer picks up the phone to make a call).
(b) Has to have open standards platform with QOS, to enable all services avilable thru internet today, or in future within IP ecosystem companies for hosted or non-hosted applications to be delivered on thru public internet or private network as a B2B, B2C application.
Regulatory restrictions were there as spectrum was only available in 3.5G with 10.5MHz + 10.5MHz, and no roaming beyond city parameters was allowed (area code restricted).
WiMAX was the only open standard technology available in 3.5G that would meet the requirement (No LTE available), Once technology selection was made, Motorola became the integrator to deliver converged services integrated platform with Moto, Cisco & others hardware, powered by IMS & Soft-switch to meet all regulatory requirements.
Practically the criteria was translated as:
1. Similar “on-demand” Bandwidth/customer equivalent to copper localloop. Deliver better symmetrical BW to match landline copper infrastructures (not FTTH) at similar/better price point to become its substitute.
2. Open standards mandatory, to utilize all applications developed in IP ecosystem.
3. Services tested included: (a) PSTN replacement (same as voice) with all value-add features of follow me etc. etc. (b) Pt-2-Pt Video calling (c) Video-conferencing (d) Internet Access.
Marketing wise here are the Yeah’s for WiMAX: WiMAX uptake in emerging markets is happening simply for two reasons. It is available today and is practically deployable as a substitute to copper infrastructure in 2.3, 2.5, 3.5 & 4.9 G allotted spectrum in different countries. The manufacturers have already promised cellular-like size & feature-rich handsets & PCMIA cards in similar price targets. So the concept is that the uptake in 10-25 years age market segment all over the world will be fast.
For green-field operators, the targeted customer segments are broadband users’ first, broadband+ voice users next and voice only users third. Simple enough they will go where their products have best fit and least resistance from competitors. Customers experience will be same or better as fixed devices look the same as DSL/Cable modems and handheld devices look like cellular phones (See Nokia Wimax sets). Churn from GSM/CDMA will be there when customers need to add broadband services not available off GSM/CDMA platforms today). Voice-only users are not expected to churn, unless the value-add free information and commercial application become an attraction within affordable price.
For existing operators adding WiMAX today is feasible, as they need to curb the churn and retain customers on one of their own platforms between WiMAX or GSM/CDMA platforms. The trend to become a multiplatform vendor is all ready there all over the world, so when LTE is finally available the carrier’s will see how best economically it best services the market requirements at that stage.
Vendor’s have no favorites in technologies if they are manufacturing them. To them what matters is the sale. Most large vendors have bought out startups as they forecasted the WiMAX technology demand to grow. Navini and Next-net are examples.