4G modules: LTE

4G (or LTE) is the fourth generation of cellular network connectivity – first deployed in 2006, and now live across the world, supporting by far the broadest range of IoT solutions active today. And, with 5G still in its early stages, there is plenty of room for growth and full lifecycles for innovations built with 4G IoT modules – most of which are based on 4G’s ‘Standard’ categories, LTE Cat 1 and LTE Cat 4.

Cat 1 enables maximum download speeds of 10Mbps and upload speeds of 5Mbps – ideal for size-constrained, lower-power applications not reliant on high-speed connectivity but which require the longevity and reliability of LTE networks. Cat 4 has more emphasis on power, with download speeds of 150Mbps and upload of 50Mbps. With 4G download speeds, wireless users can stream high-definition video and audio, vastly expanding possibilities in areas such as portable multimedia, security and monitoring, as well as verbal communication VoLTE (Voice over LTE). 4G also enables wireless broadband, so users can achieve internet connectivity without needing a fixed wired connection from an internet service provider.

Our LTE modules have exceptionally small footprints, can optionally be appointed with multi-receiver GNSS capability for satellite positioning, and are equipped as standard with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology which greatly reduces errors and ensures reliable data speeds. LTE IoT modules therefore open up vast commercial opportunities for those able to realize them – the market in digital signage alone for instance is forecast to exceed $38 billion by 2028, with the home automation market reaching an astonishing $114 billion by the middle of this decade. With an unusually broad range of LTE modules serving markets across the globe, Quectel is an ideal partner for those with an interest in the enormously wide range of solutions LTE can deliver.

LTE use cases include

• Asset tracking
• Digital signage
• Environmental monitoring
• Fleet management
• Industrial routers
• Industrial PDAs
• Rugged tablet PCs
• Smart metering and smart grid
• Wearable devices