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The topic of LTE frequencies is particularly topical at the moment and the confusion is great. Some devices still are presented that support only a subset of frequencies in use in Germany – a big annoyance for the end, because not every where LTE is on it, is there really LTE. In this article I will give a brief overview of the currently used in Europe LTE frequencies and also again explain the pros and cons as well as the applications of the various frequency ranges.

LTE in Europe – Germany is a pioneer

While Germany is in the availability of fiber only in the middle is seen worldwide, we are in the development of fourth generation mobile LTE right up there. The major frequencies around 800 MHz of digital dividend was auctioned in April 2010, late 2010 saw the first commercial LTE services. Many other countries in Europe are more than 2 years behind schedule – as in England and Austria were not even the 800 megahertz spectrum auction. All in all crystallized out, however, that three LTE frequencies dominate in Europe: 800, 1800 and 2600 megahertz . Few countries additionally use other frequencies, such as the table below illustrates. Even when modulation method prevails largely consensus here is almost entirely on FDD set (Frequency Division Duplex) as the TDD (Time Division Duplex) method rarely is used. The speed is most networks from 100 to 150 megabits / s downstream, corresponding to LTE Category 3 or Category 4 ( LTE categories overview ). Now to the table – here are all the countries, in which there is already or LTE networks where LTE will start soon:

LTE frequencies and its application

As shown in the table above, in Germany LTE800, LTE1800 and LTE2600 is used. However, the frequencies are not shared equally by the network operator, but were granted at an auction. These data show that only Vodafone, Telefonica O2 and the German Telekom to use the coveted 800 megahertz frequencies. But why is LTE800 so important? Compared to LTE1800 LTE2600 and it offers a much better range and better penetration of buildings.It’s worth it for the providers especially in the country money, because they will have to change a few locations on LTE and move less fiber optic lines, as would be the case for example with pure 2600 MHz networks. With LTE800 so large areas are relatively low potential development.

But LTE800 has some disadvantages: the immense reach the cells are much larger and so in the future also overloaded quickly than cells in the 2600 MHz band. Also, the available radio spectrum – only about 10 MHz for the downlink. and upstream to 800 MHz – is compared to LTE1800 or LTE2600 quite low and ensures a lower capacity and lower maximum speeds. The Germans give operators for their 800 MHz networks, for example, only a maximum speed of 50 Mbit / s downstream, at 1800 and 2600 MHz networks will contrast with up to 100 MBit / s advertised.

The 1800 MHz frequency is currently used only by Telekom, although E-Plus has corresponding spectrum and in the future could be used for LTE expansion. The 1800 MHz frequency has proved fortunate for the Telekom emerged as some devices such as the Apple iPhone 5, the iPad and the iPad Mini 4 enables LTE1800 only. The mainly used in larger cities 1800 MHz LTE offers in comparison to LTE2600 a much better range and building penetration possible by up to 20 MHz of spectrum in both the download and upload speeds, but significantly higher. Also, the 2600 MHz band offers enough spectrum and therefore high maximum bandwidth, but the range is extremely limited and the small cells accordingly. LTE2600 is therefore only for the optimization of the supply in cities – for the basic service operators Vodafone and O2 also set in big cities on the 800 MHz band.

Via: maxwireless.de