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aria-label="main account sign in button toggle" name="main-sign-in" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" class="text-2xl rounded-full cursor-pointer xl:ml-0 xl:mt-7 align-middle focus:outline-none focus:text-ubx-red text-white inline-block pr-4 pt-4 pb-4 xl:pl-6 xl:pr-6 xl:bg-black" title="Sign in"><div class="hidden xl:block xl:bg-black -mt-1 font-bold focus:text-ubx-red text-white">Sign in</div><svg class="feather feather-user block xl:hidden" stroke="#1a1a1a" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" fill="none"><path d="M20 21v-2a4 4 0 0 0-4-4H8a4 4 0 0 0-4 4v2"></path><circle cx="12" cy="7" r="4"></circle></svg></button><button class="inline-block xl:hidden text-xxl py-4 px-0 cursor-pointer outline-none focus:outline-none"><div class="hamburger hamburger-btn"><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span></div></button></div></div></div></header><div class="pt-6 wide"><ul class="flex flex-wrap breadCrumbsGrey"><li class="flex-initial mr-4"><a class="text-xs transition hover:underline font-bold text-grey-light" href="/en">Home</a></li><li class="flex-initial mr-4"><a aria-current="page" class="text-xs transition hover:underline font-bold text-grey-light" href="/en/technologies/lte-cat-4">LTE Cat 4</a></li></ul></div><div class="container-fluid"><div class="narrow"><div class="text-smallDetail md:text-sm block mb-8 mt-24"><p class="pr-6 inline-block">Technology</p><p class="pr-6 inline-block">|</p><p class="pr-6 inline-block">23 May 2024</p><span class="float-right"><div class="dropdown inline-block relative" role="list"><button class="text-ubx-red font-normal py-2 px-4 rounded inline-flex items-center text-2xl"><span class="mr-1 sharebutton"><img alt="share" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBjbGFzc05hbWU9ImQtaW5saW5lLWJsb2NrIHByLTMiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyIgd2lkdGg9IjI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI0IiBmaWxsPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2U9IiNmZjZlNTkiIHN0cm9rZS13aWR0aD0iMiIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIiBzdHJva2UtbGluZWpvaW49InJvdW5kIiBjbGFzcz0iZmVhdGhlciBmZWF0aGVyLXNoYXJlLTIiPjxjaXJjbGUgY3g9IjE4IiBjeT0iNSIgcj0iMyIvPjxjaXJjbGUgY3g9IjYiIGN5PSIxMiIgcj0iMyIvPjxjaXJjbGUgY3g9IjE4IiBjeT0iMTkiIHI9IjMiLz48cGF0aCBkPSJNOC41OSAxMy41MWw2LjgzIDMuOThtLS4wMS0xMC45OGwtNi44MiAzLjk4Ii8+PC9zdmc+" class="w-8 h-8 inline mr-2"/>share this</span></button></div></span></div><h1 class="text-pageTitle mb-12 font-bold">LTE Cat 4</h1><div class="text-sectionHeading font-bold mb-32 break-words-plus"><p>LTE Cat 4 is the highest and most powerful LTE category prior to LTE Advanced (LTE-A).</p> </div></div><section class="paragraphs--wrapper"><div class="paragraph paragraph-text text flex narrow mb-24 xs:mb-40"><div class="paragraph text text-defaultBodyText md:text-largerBodyText w-full text-module--bodyText--68788 text-module--media--5e6da"><p>LTE Cat 4 provides data rates ranging from tens to hundreds of Mbps with a reduced design effort and affordable total cost of ownership in a very compact design.</p> <p>With just one additional TX antenna than LTE Cat 1, LTE Cat 4 boosts the data rate about a 10x factor providing also</p> <ul><li>Worldwide coverage,</li> <li>Handover capability,</li> <li>voice over LTE (VoLTE)</li> <li>low latency</li> </ul><p>making it the perfect solution for IoT applications requiring higher throughputs, global portability with an affordable solution implementation.</p> <h2>What is LTE Cat 4?</h2> <p>LTE Cat 4 is the most common and simpler high speed LTE category prior to those classified “LTE Advanced”. </p> <article class="align-center media media--type-image media--view-mode-default"><div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/2024-05/cellular-technology-evolution_rgb.jpg" width="2000" height="1273" alt="Graphic of cellular technology evolution"/></div> </article><p>Why simple? Compared to higher LTE categories classified under LTE-Advanced domain, the LTE Cat 4 provides high data rates with a relatively simple hardware implementation effort.</p> <p>On the one hand, LTE-A solutions require sophisticated MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) Antenna arrays to provide the highest data rates and complex MIMO systems require extensive design effort, deep RF expertise, allocate a larger area in the board for the multiple antenna arrays with all the related additional costs.</p> <p>On the other hand, LTE Cat 4 does not require sophisticated 4x4 or 8x8 MIMO antenna arrays and is able to provide high data rates with just one additional TX antenna compared to an LTE Cat1 design.</p> <p>LTE Cat 4, with data rates up to 50Mbps in uplink and 150Mbps in downlink, is suitable to enable applications like high quality video surveillance, routers, and point-of-sale terminals. To provide this performance, the LTE Cat 4 makes use of the simplest MIMO configuration: the 2x2 MIMO (2 TX antennas and 2 RX antennas).</p> <article class="align-center media media--type-image media--view-mode-default"><div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/2022-05/u-blox-LTE-cat-4-vs-LTE-cat-1-comparison.png" width="2001" height="1088" alt="Infographic showing the differences between LTE Cat 4 and LTE Cat 1"/></div> </article><p>This solution provides high data rates with relatively simple integration compared to other MIMO solutions.</p> <p>The table below reports some LTE category’s data and shows undoubtedly that LTE Cat 4 represents the best balance between data rate and cost (module cost and implementation cost) for IoT applications requiring higher data rates and global portability.</p> <p>It is quite evident the stunning delta in data rate capability (more than 10x) between LTE Cat 1 and LTE Cat4 with a design requiring the addition of just one more antenna; going from pure RX diversity supported by LTE Cat 1 to 2x2 MIMO required by LTE Cat4.</p> <table><thead><tr><th>LTE<br/> Category</th><th>Max DL<br/> (Mbit/s)</th><th>Max UL<br/> (Mbit/s)</th><th>MIMO</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1</strong></td><td>10</td><td>5</td><td><strong>NO, Only RX Diversity</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>4</strong></td><td>150</td><td>50</td><td>2x2</td></tr><tr><td><strong>6</strong></td><td>300</td><td>50</td><td>2x2 or 4x4</td></tr><tr><td><strong>9</strong></td><td>450</td><td>50</td><td>2 or 4</td></tr><tr><td><strong>12</strong></td><td>600</td><td>100</td><td>2 or 4</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Why LTE Cat 4 is the best balance?</h2> <p>In most (but not all) of the IoT use cases, the outcoming throughput is much more relevant than the incoming one, so we can say that, statistically, uplink capability is more important than downlink for IoT applications. Exactly the contrary of the consumer market use case where internet surfing requires more downlink than uplink capability.</p> <p>In the table above, we can easily see that the difference between a LTE Cat 1 and a LTE Cat 4 board design is one TX antenna but this simple difference in board design makes LTE Cat 4 solution able to provide data rates by a 10x factor, going from 5Mbps (provide by Cat 1) up to 50Mbps in Uplink.</p> <p>Now, looking at the higher LTE-A categories, we don’t see such 10x factor in uplink with designs requiring more antennas, i.e., going from Cat 4 to Cat 6, 8, 12 and more .</p> <p>The uplink capability sometimes increases by a 1.5x or 2x or more for higher LTE categories but the module cost and the implementation cost increases as well.</p> <p>In fact, the cost difference between LTE Cat 4 and higher Cat LTE-A solutions is not negligible, considering not only the module’s acquisition cost but also the more complex RF design of LTE-A like 4x4 MIMO or 8x8 MIMO solutions.</p> <p>So, we can say that LTE Cat4 is the true best balance between performance, coverage, and cost (module and implementation) and represents the perfect solution for several vertical IoT markets.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.u-blox.com/en/publication/white-paper/5g-vs-4g-lte-3g-sunset">sunset of 2G and 3G</a> networks is accelerating: 24 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in 15 countries have already shut down their 2G networks, and 33 MNOs in 47 countries have done the same with their 3G networks. Today, the number of operators with 2G or 3G shutdowns underway is close to one hundred.</p> <p>By 2025, there will be a massive 2G/3G shutdown, with almost 50 switch-offs planned only for that year.</p> <p>In this scenario, with <a href="https://www.u-blox.com/en/cellular-long-range-communication">5G</a> still under deployment, the 4G LTE will be the only cellular technology with worldwide coverage for the next 5-10 years.</p> <p>Most legacy IoT applications, those with low data rates but requiring global portability (thus excluding <a href="https://www.u-blox.com/en/technologies/lte-cat-m">LTE-M</a> or <a href="https://www.u-blox.com/en/technologies/narrowband-iot-nb-iot">NB-IoT</a> applications due to their regional deployments), will migrate to <a href="https://www.u-blox.com/en/blogs/insights/lte-cat-1bis">LTE Cat 1bis</a> (or Cat 1, depending on the required features and operating region).</p> <p>Legacy IoT applications with high data rates that Cat 1/Cat 1bis cannot satisfy will migrate to LTE Cat 4, which is the most convenient solution for them. In fact, LTE Cat 4 offers high data rates, global portability, and relatively low integration complexity, enabling the design of compact and high-throughput solutions at an affordable cost.</p> <h2>Applications: making the most of LTE Cat 4 </h2> <p><strong>Routers, gateways, and hotspots.</strong> LTE Cat 4 represents the main choice for cost sensitive solutions. The high throughput, the global LTE Cat 4 support, limited integration effort and the possibility to design very compact solutions will make LTE Cat4 the perfect fit for low-end solutions. </p> <p><strong>Point-of-sale.</strong> Digital payment systems are widely used worldwide, and the trend is that they are going to replace cash as standard payment method. For simple point-of-sale terminals, LTE Cat 1 often provides sufficient functionality. However, high-end terminals, often Linux or Android based, require more bandwidth.</p> <p><strong>Video surveillance and panel alarms. </strong>Video surveillance systems are extensively deployed worldwide. High quality video streaming is required by modern video surveillance systems and high-end Alarm Panels. LTE Cat4 is the perfect fit for these applications providing high throughput at a reasonable cost and design effort. The limited size of the LTE Cat 4 solution allows designing of small solutions. </p> <p><strong>eHealth.</strong> As population is getting older, eHealth care systems is an expanding market segment. The solution range goes from patients that need continuous monitoring to remote diagnosis and telemedicine. Transferring high-resolution images beside the medical data coming from main unit or ancillary devices / sensors is the perfect match for LTE Cat 4.</p> <p><strong>Aftermarket telematics. </strong>This vertical market includes the most diverse applications. The requirements are mobility, network coverage and throughput. These kinds of applications are mobile, they can transition across different countries and MNOs. Classic examples are rental car monitoring, Fleet management and similar. Often they need also to download maps or anyway other heavy files. Several applications like OBD dongles, UBI (usage Based Insurance) or SVR (Stolen Vehicle Recovery) include in the requirement the capability to fit in very small housings.</p> <p>Global coverage requirement can benefit from LTE Cat 4 bandwidth paired with affordable implementation effort and footprint. The high throughput capability both in uplink and downlink makes this device a good solution for compact applications 2-way communication requiring high data rates both in uplink and downlink.</p> </div></div><div class="GridBoxes wide mb-24 xs:mb-40"><div class="text-sectionHeading font-bold mb-8">Highlighted u-blox offering</div><div class="grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-3 md:grid-cols-4 gap-4px"><article class="container p-6point5 bg-ubx-light-grey h-full mx-auto relative"><a class="intLink flex flex-col h-full text-black hover:text-ubx-red" title="" rel="bookmark" href="/en/product/lara-l6-series"><div class="flex-grow px-6 place-self-center"><div class="h-60 "><picture class=""><source srcSet="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2022-05/LARA-L6-top-bottom.webp?itok=53sceDm- 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/webp"/><source srcSet="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/200_width/public/2022-05/LARA-L6-top-bottom.webp?itok=-4aLcnMO 1x" type="image/webp"/><source srcSet="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2022-05/LARA-L6-top-bottom.png?itok=53sceDm- 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px)" type="image/png"/><source srcSet="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/200_width/public/2022-05/LARA-L6-top-bottom.png?itok=-4aLcnMO 1x" type="image/png"/><img src="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/200_width/public/2022-05/LARA-L6-top-bottom.png" class="px-6 pt-4 pb-10 my-0 mx-auto object-scale-down max-w-full max-h-60 h-auto" alt="LARA-L6" title="LARA-L6" width="200" height="166" loading="lazy"/></picture></div></div><h2 class="flex-none text-smallDetail font-bold"> LARA-L6 series</h2><div class="flex-none text-smallDetail"><p>Multi-mode LTE Cat 4 modules in smallest form factor</p> </div></a></article></div></div><div class="mb-24 xs:mb-40"><h2 class="wide text-sectionHeading font-bold mb-8">Discover more </h2><div class="paragraph wide FurtherLinks grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 w-full pt-16 xs:grid-cols-2"><div class="relative hover:text-ubx-red"><a class="intLink absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 bottom-0 z-10 w-full h-full opacity-0" title="" rel="" href="/en/blogs/insights/lte-cat-1bis"></a><div class="md:overflow-hidden h-80 xs:h-96"><img class="object-cover h-full w-full" src="https://content.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/styles/one_third_width/public/2023-03/4g-mast-lte-cat-1bis.jpg?itok=wSbxl1vo" alt="LTE Cat 1bis cellular mast"/></div><div class="text-smallDetail p-2 font-bold"><p>LTE Cat 1bis</p></div></div><div class="relative hover:text-ubx-red"><a class="intLink absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 bottom-0 z-10 w-full h-full opacity-0" title="" rel="" href="/en/technologies/lte-cat-m"></a><div class="md:overflow-hidden h-80 xs:h-96"><img class="object-cover h-full w-full" 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