Though Wi-Fi is one the highly prevalent wireless technology for enterprise networks, the private 4G LTE technology is an answer in the specific use cases that involves mobile and remote deployments and higher capacity requirements like IoT. The Cisco IPIX network solution takes the holistic approach for private LTE. This solution provides a complete architecture, which includes mobile CPE, transport, core, access, and application layer. Let us understand more about private 4G LTE and Wi-Fi:
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What’s 4G?
4G is a fourth-generation mobile communication technology solution and delivers higher speeds than those you will get with home broadband plans. Many mobile networks across the world offer 4G as a part of the mobile deals, though coverage and speeds differ from one network to another. However, speeds average at over 15.1Mbps & will reach 30Mbps. On the other hand, 4G is not only for the internet connectivity on smartphones but can be used as the home internet service for getting online with different types of internet-enabled devices throughout your home.
What’s Private 4G LTE?
The private 4G LTE is the local cellular network, which includes core network servers and cell sites that are dedicated to supporting connectivity of the specific organization’s needs independent of the cellular networks of the providers. This allows the organizations to modify their networks for mission-critical usage, network optimization for the low latency as well as support specific SLA –without any interference from congested public wireless range.
Private 4G LTE is suitable for a few distributed-enterprise cases, which includes amusement parks, stadiums, ports, factories, railroads, airports, mines, agriculture, warehouses, smart cities elements & public safety. Various other applications for the private 4G LTE involve remote areas with poor cellular coverage.
Which is the Better Option from LTE 4G and Wi-Fi?
Though 4G LTE & Wi-Fi serve the same need –communicating data over the internet – they vary in the terms of technology, speed, security, and coverage.
Technology
For the 4G LTE network, you do not need any router for connecting to a cellular data network. For using public LTE, you just need a good data plan & mobile device so you will be able to connect to your network provider.
Speed
4G LTE provides fast connection speed as well as is suited to deal with the high bandwidth apps and games on phone. It provides data transfer speeds of 100Mbps to 1Gbps. In the case of the WiFi users, minimum and maximum speeds will differ as per the plan. But, the WiFi standard today lies between 10 & 25 Mbps.
Security
When accessing the internet, one major concern is security especially if you’re a small or large company that deals with confidential company & client information. Even though no network will be 100% secure, but, cellular data ranks much higher in the terms of security due to many reasons.
Coverage
The clear and significant benefit of cellular networks is they offer widespread network coverage, generally nationwide, to the subscribers than limited area access offered by the Wi-Fi network. As Wi-Fi is the local area network, it offers very limited coverage. On exiting 300 feet radius of their router, subscribers will lose the coverage and making them search for other alternatives. Thus relying completely on the Wi-Fi network will be inconvenient and limiting particularly for the executives & working professionals who travel regularly.
Different Between Private 4G LTE and Wi-Fi
| Private 4G LTE | WiFi |
| 100% Mobility | Fixed at Offices and Homes |
| Easy to set-up | Requires installation cost |
| Limited Coverage | Higher coverage and stability |
| Mobile must be 4G compatible | No compatibility issue |
| No configuration required | Needs router and other set-up devices |
Private 4G LTE is one important choice or Wi-Fi replacement, particularly in the situations where the Wi-Fi network has shortcomings and will be better though as the complementary like PIX network. It is the best choice when WiFi is not able to offer the connectivity needed in some use cases like supporting mobile deployments. Though cost-prohibitive when it is to offer coverage for the large geographic areas. It is due to the high number of Wi-Fi access points required and fiber backhaul network required.
For Internet lovers, speed and convenience are things that you need to have better experience. Both 4G LTE and Wi-Fi provides both.
