4G,LTE & VOLTE

What is 4G, LTE and VOLTE

Everyone is using the 4G network in their mobile phone in today's modern days but have you ever wonder that what these technical terms actually mean? Let's talk about terms briefly. when we describe mobile communication we actually refer to all of these properties i.e. Technology, speed, frequency and bandwidth. For making the term easy and concise we use number systems like 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G. These numbers are taken on the basis of the evolution of mobile technology. The very first generation is first generation(1G) which is introduced in late 70's. This is an analogue signal and only used for calling purpose. After that the advancement in technology happens and we moved into the second generation, it allowed for the digital voice and data transfer and the very first time users are allowed to roam. between the year 2000-2003, an upgrade in the technology introduced and this is named as GPRS(General Packet Radio Service) and edge. Technically it is called as 2.5G. This provides a high-speed data packet transfer and internet. After that we have invented a new technology called HSPA(High-Speed Packet Access) for the first time this generation supported a wide band internet access as well as allowed for video call, conferencing, mobile gaming, video and music streaming etc. This is the third generation of mobile technology where a real evolution begins.

What is 4G 

In 2008 ITU-R( International telecommunication union - Radio Communication sector) specified a set of requirements for 4G standards. But that time we don't have that much-advanced network and hardware which fulfils the requirement of 4G. So what is the conclusion of the above point? Are we not using true 4G? or there is no 4G in your mobile phones. why I am not saying 4G is LTE? So for understanding these points lets move on to our next topic.

What is  LTE

When the ITU-R decided the requirements of 4G that time the race begins about how to reach 4G level but the path is too long to go. So it is decided that to go step by step towards the true 4G. And that path or way to go towards true 4G is named as LTE (Long Term Evolution). But another situation occurs here as well which is the advancement in the existing 3G technologies and creating a confusion that how can we reach towards the real 4G in that scenario. That time it is decided that which network is giving more speed than existing 3G is said to be 4G. And all operators named it 4G. But its not the real 4G its just a way towards 4G and sometimes you can find a better speed in 3G as compared to 4G. So the confusion is still there because there is no perfect standard for that and we are still very far from true 4G.

What is VOLTE

When we are moving forward in our mobile technology, our main focus is to increase the data transfer rate. But when we talk about our calling then there are no such improvements in that whatever it is 2G, 3G or 4G. But in recent a new technology arises which is named VOLTE (Voice over LTE). In these technologies, the call is transferred through LTE network. We can get HD call (better call quality) through this technology. We cannot get any delay in our speech between the calls.

But there is a confusion that how can we use this? For using this we should have a VOLTE enabled phone and the person to whom we are calling should also have a VOLTE enabled phone, this is the only scenario to use VOLTE, otherwise in any other scenario call is transferred through the 2G network as usual.