LTE-U vs WiFi-Difference between LTE-U,WiFi,LTE-U bands

This page on LTE-U vs WiFi describes difference between LTE-U and WiFi. It mentions LTE-U bands used in USA, Europe, Japan and China.

LTE-U is the short form of LTE Unlicensed. It operates in 5GHz frequency band which is unlicensed ISM band. It is not developed to replace existing LTE network based connections, but developed to coexist with LTE and WiFi networks. LTE-U transmissions neither affect LTE nor WiFi installations.

LTE-U devices also follow standard protocol LBT (Listen Before Talk) for initiation of transmission. The main purpose is to offload the traffic from existing LTE networks as well as traffic from existing wifi hotspots. The specifications are outlined in 3GPP release-12.

LTE-U Frequency Bands

Following table mentions LTE-U frequency bands used in USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia, India and China. Following are the LTE-U bands supported along with their respective EIRP levels:
5150 to 5250 MHz, EIRP: 23dBm/36dBm
5250 MHz to 5350 MHz, EIRP: 23 dBm
5470 to 5725 MHz, EIRP: 30dBm
5725 to 5850 MHz, EIRP: 33dBm, 36 dBm


LTE-U Band 5150 to 5250 MHz 5250 to 5350 MHz 5470 to 5725 MHz 5725 to 5850 MHz
USA, Canada
Europe (EU)
Korea
Japan
China
Australia
INDIA

Both LTE licensed spectrum ( 700 MHz to 3.8 GHz) and unlicensed spectrum (5GHz) are combined using Carrier Aggregation technique to enhance spectrum efficiency. Following are the carrier aggregation modes supported in LTE-U.


LTE-U supplement download mode
LTE-U Carrier Aggregation Mode

LTE-U WiFi comparison and Coexistence

• LTE-U operates at energy level which is above or above the energy level used by wifi devices and hence they will not interfere with each other. WiFi AP uses 24 dBm and WiFi STA uses 18dBm typically. EIRP for LTE-U devices foer different bands are mentioned above.
• LTE-U spectrum efficiency is better than WiFi system.
• LTE-U coverage range is almost two times compare to wifi range.
• LTE-U offers gain of three times compare to WiFi network.

LTE WiFi related links

WiFi router Vendors  LTE router Vendors  Terminology  LTE tutorial  LTE Features  UE categories  LTE Bands  what is WLAN   what is wifi and mifi   WLAN tutorial  

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