14 June 2023

UMTS Vs LTE | Difference | Comparison

Universal mobile telecommunications system( UMTS) and  Long Term Evolution (LTE) are both cellular standards technology that are used for wireless data communications. The primary difference between them is that UMTS is 3G cellular technology while LTE is a 4G cellular technology. In this article we will discuss about the difference between UMTS and LTE to better understand about this topic.

UMTS Vs LTE | Difference between UMTS and LTE

  1. UMTS stands for universal mobile telecommunications system, and LTE stands for Long term evolution.
  2. UMTS is third-generation cellular technology, and LTE is fourth-generation cellular technology.
  3. UMTS offer higher latency, LTE offer lower latency.
  4. Both UMTS and LTE digital networks.
  5. UMTS' other 3G technology: is CDMA2000, While LTE's other 4G technology: is WiMAX.
  6. UMTS is limited capacity, LTE is higher capacity than UMTS.
  7. UMTS was developed in 2000, and LTE was developed in 2009.
  8. Wideband CDMA radio access in UMTS, LTE radio access in OFDMA, and SC-FDMA.
  9. UMTS is circuit-switched and packet-switched, While LTE is packet switched.
  10. UMTS is enhancement HSPA and HSPA+, LTE enhancement in LTE-advanced & LTE advanced pro.
  11. The download speed offered by UMTS is 14.4 Mbps, whereas the The download speed of LTE is upto 1 Gbps.
  12. UMTS peak data rate 42 Mbps with HSPA+, LTE peak data rate 3 Gbps with LTE advanced pro.
  13. The upload speed offered by UMTS is 5.76 Mbps, while the upload speed offered by LTE is upto 500 Mbps.
  14. UMTS support slower data rate than LTE, LTE offer higher data rate than UMTS. 
  15. The channel bandwidth of UMTS is 5 MHZ mainly but 10 MHz and 20 MHz are also possible. LTE channel bandwidth is 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, and 20 MHz.
  16. UMTS support both hard and soft handoff, but the LTE support hard handoff. 
  17. UMTS provides data speeds up to 2 Mbps, While LTE can reach up to 300 Mbps speeds.
  18. UMTS requires more towers and power amplifiers than LTE, as LTE can cover a larger area with fewer towers.
  19. UMTS has a better voice quality service than LTE, but LTE has a better data service than UMTS.
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