Long Term Evolution (LTE), or fourth-generation (4G) networks, are the standard in mobile connectivity technology all over the world, with 5G being rolled out slowly and only really suitable for dense urban areas, 4G/LTE is here to stay.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) has been around for more than a decade and has evolved into a technology with many different categories. Currently, the most commonly used is LTE Cat4 and LTE Cat6, with LTE Cat12 device usage increasing steadily over the last 12 months. 

So what really is the difference? 

LTE Cat4 -rated devices are capable of achieving the maximum speed in 20MHz 4G coverage areas. Generally, Cat4 devices are capable of 150Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps upload speeds

Take for example the Tenda 4G180 router, a battery-powered, high-speed, mobile hotspot. It is a 4G wireless terminal that can be used for mobile data connectivity as well as fixed connectivity for small and home offices. Depending on the available bandwidth from your mobile network service provider, you can enjoy a lag-free HD movie, video chats and download files in seconds – all simultaneously.  This LTE Cat4 device is compact and portable, with a built-in short-range Wi-Fi radio, providing Wi-Fi connectivity in its direct vicinity. It is the perfect device for home users as well as home offices. Another example of a LTE Cat4 device from MiRO is the MikroTik wAP 4G Kit, a small weatherproof, wireless access point perfect for your day-to-day internet connectivity requirements at home or in a small office.

Moving onto Cat6 routers, these are wireless terminals that will connect to any mobile network that utilizes the LTE advanced (LTE-A) standard, delivering higher speeds of up to 300Mbps. A typical Cat6 device will use carrier aggregation and multiple bands at the same time – a huge advantage when there are many LTE users in an area. Examples of devices stocked and sold by MiRO that support LTE Cat6 technology is the Tenda 4G680 router and the MikroTik Audience LTE6. With the Tenda 4G680, you simply insert your LTE-A capable SIM card and you immediately have access to high-speed internet that supports multiple devices. The MikroTik Audience LTE6 is a tri-band home Wi-Fi access point with LTE-A and Mesh support and is the perfect solution for whole-home Wi-Fi coverage for bandwidth-intensive tasks such as online gaming and 4K streaming. 

Cat12 LTE provides super-fast internet and can reach download speeds of up to 600 Mbps with carrier aggregation and 100Mbps upload across two or four channels. Cat12 allows devices to use three bands at the same time, again a huge advantage when there is a dense number of LTE users in an area and the mobile operator has access to spectrum. Cat12 LTE provides better responsiveness in a crowded environment and higher efficiency for the weaker signal situations in more rural areas. Depending on the service provider, we have seen internet speed doubling in rural areas after switching to Cat12 LTE, negating the need to wait for cable network expansions.

Coming soon is LTE Cat18 which brings with it an even faster and better broadband experience! Cat18 LTE provides staggering download speeds of up to 1200Mbps with carrier aggregation across two, four or eight channels.

We are working closely with brands such as MikroTik to release LTE Cat18 equipment as soon as possible, to enable high-speed internet for users that doesn’t have access to fixed wireless or fibre.