20+ Difference between 4G and 4G LTE (Explained)

We all know that 4G is a mobile network that is believed to be better than a 3G network offering better speed and lower latency. But what most people do not know is the difference between 4G and 4G LTE.

Due to several similarities, both technologies are often confused with one another, but despite all the similarities, both are quite different.

The major difference between 4G and 4G LTE is that the former has lower speed and higher latency than the latter.

Comparison Between 4G network And 4G LTE Network

Parameter	4G Network	4G LTE Network
Initialism	It is an initialism for a fourth-generation network.	It is an initialism for fourth-generation long-term evolution networks.
Meaning	It refers to a wireless broadband mobile network or communications that was first developed in 2009. Sweden, Stockholm, Oslo, and Norway were among the first few places to witness the application of this network. It is associated with better speed and latency levels than the 3G network.	It refers to a wireless broadband mobile network or communications, which is an updated or better version of the 4G network. It came into existence after the launch of the 4G network. Since it is just an updated version of the 4G network, it is also considered the middle network between the 4G and the 5G networks.
Type of network	This type of network comes under the category of entirely different generations of wireless broadband mobile networks. The previous generation of mobile networks is 3G, while the latest generation of mobile networks is 5G.	This type of network does not come under the category of an entirely different generation of mobile networks. It is just an updated or better version of the 4G network. Despite being a little different from the 4G network, this network still comes under the category of the 4G network.
Reason for development	This network was developed as the pre-existing network, i.e., the 3G network was no longer meeting people’s demands worldwide. The 3G network had a promised speed of 16 Mbps and a latency of 70 milliseconds to 80 milliseconds, and it can be understood why it was not meeting the customer requirements. Hence, the 4G network was developed.	This network was developed because the 4G network could not deliver its promises and meet customer requirements. Seeing 4G not meeting its promises, the 5G network could not be developed that fast. Hence, it was time to develop this network to deliver the promises made by the 4G network.
Speed	The speed offered by this network happens to be lower than the speed offered by the 4G LTE network. This network promised to deliver a speed of up to 100 Mbps, but in reality, it could only deliver a speed of up to 14 Mbps.	The speed offered by this network is typically higher than that offered by the 4G network as it is an updated and better version of the 4G network. This network promised to deliver a speed of around 100 Mbps, but in reality, it could deliver a speed of 30 Mbps, which is considerably better than the speed offered by the 4G network.
Latency	This network promised to deliver a latency of 20 to 30 milliseconds but in reality, it could only deliver a latency of below 100 milliseconds which is a lot higher than the latency offered by the 4G LTE network.	This network promised to deliver a latency of around 11 milliseconds. Still, it delivered a latency ranging from 50 milliseconds to 80 milliseconds, which is considerably better than the latency associated with the 4G network.

Major Difference Between 4G Network And 4G LTE Network

What exactly is 4G network?

It is an initialism for the 4th Generation, which refers to a generation of wireless broadband mobile networks or communications that came after the 3G network.

The traces of the origin of this network take us back to 2009. Oslo, Norway, Sweden, and Stockholm were a few of the first places to benefit from this network.

In comparison with the 3G network, this network is associated with offering higher speed and lower latency. This network typically promises to deliver a speed of 100 Mbps and a latency of 20 milliseconds to 30 milliseconds.

Key difference: 4G

It can be best described as the fourth generation of wireless broadband mobile networks or communication. It is considered to be a better version of 1G, 2G, and 3G mobile networks.

Another notable difference between this network and 4G LTE is that the former is an entirely different generation of mobile networks or communications while the latter is not. The “G” in its name stands for Generation.

It is associated with offering a speed of up to 100 Mbps which is very high compared to the speed offered in 3G networks. However, it should be noted that this network failed to provide the promised speed on various phones worldwide; hence, 4G LTE was developed to complete the promise. Thus, it can be said that this network’s speed would be higher than the 3G network but lower than the 4G LTE network.

Regarding latency, this network offers a higher latency than 3G but a lower latency than 4G LTE. This network is concerned with offering a latency of about 20 to 30 milliseconds.

What exactly is 4G LTE network?

It is an initialism for the 4th Generation Long Term Evolution network, which refers to an updated or better version of the 4G network.

It should be kept in mind that this network is not an entirely new generation of wireless broadband mobile networks or communications; instead, it is just a part of the 4G network.

This network was developed to deliver the promises that the 4G network could not do, such as delivering a speed of 100 Mbps. This network is estimated to have been developed after the launch of the 4G network.

Key difference: 4G LTE

It can be best described as an updated or better version of the fourth-generation (4G) wireless broadband mobile network or communications. It is better than 1G, 2G, and 3G, and is also estimated to be better than 4G networks.

Most people know that 4G LTE is a better version of the 4G network, but most people do not know that this network is not a different generation of mobile networks; it is just an update of the 4G network. The “LTE” in this network’s name stands for Long Term Evolution.

It is also associated with offering a speed of around 100 Mbps, just like a 4G network, but the difference is only that this network was made to deliver a speed of 100 Mbps because the 4G network was not able to do so.

Speaking of latency associated with this network, this network delivers a better latency than the 4G network. This network is concerned with offering a latency of 11 milliseconds.

The Contrast Between 4G Network And 4G LTE Network

Initialism

4G – It is an initialism for the fourth-generation network.

4G LTE is an initialism for the fourth generation long-term evolution network.

Meaning

4G – It can be best defined as a wireless broadband mobile network or communication that is superior to 1G, 2G, and 3G networks. It was first developed in 2009, with Stockholm, Sweden, Oslo, and Norway being the first few places to use this mobile network.

It should be noted that this network is better than 1G, 2G, and 3G networks, but it would not be considered better when compared with 4G LTE and 5G networks.

4G LTE – It can be best defined as a wireless broadband mobile network or communication that is considered the updated or better version of the 4G network.

It is expected to have been developed after the invention of the 4G network. It can also be considered a middle network between the 4G and 5G networks.

Type of network

4G – This network is an entirely different generation of wireless broadband mobile networks or communication, which came after the invention of the 4G network.

4G LTE – Most people do not know that this network is not an entirely different generation of wireless broadband mobile networks.

It is just an updated or better version of the 4G network. It can not be classified as a different generation. It is a network that comes under the category of the 4G networks.

Developed why

4G – This network was developed because people’s demands were rising worldwide, and the 3G network could not fulfill those demands.

The 3G network was associated with a speed of 16 Mbps with a latency of 70-80 milliseconds, and thus, no wonder why this network could not meet the people’s demands. The fourth generation of networks proved to be a much better option offering higher speed and lower latency.

4G LTE – This network was developed because the 4G network was not able to meet the promises it promised.

Most people worldwide could not get a speed of 100 Mbps, and thus, this network was developed to become the better version of the 4G network. Because of these reasons, this network stands between the 4G and 5G networks.

Speed

4G – Regarding speed, this network is associated with offering a lower speed compared to the speed offered by the 4G LTE network.

This network promised to deliver a speed of up to 100 Mbps, but on average, most people could attain a maximum speed of up to 14 Mbps.

4G LTE – Since it is considered a better version of the 4G network, thus no doubt! This network is associated with offering a higher speed than the speed offered by the 4G network.

The promised speed of this network is almost the same as the speed of the 4G network. However, in reality, most people can reach up to 30 Mbps.

Latency

4G – Speaking of latency, this network is associated with delivering a latency of 20 to 30 milliseconds, but in actuality, people obtain an average latency of below 100 milliseconds which is considered higher in comparison to the latency of a 4G LTE network.

4G LTE – This network yet again proves to be a better version of the 4G network regarding latency. This network promises to deliver a latency of 11 milliseconds, but in reality, people can obtain a 50-60 milliseconds latency.

Conclusion

Most people often get confused when they hear 4G and 4G LTE and use the terms interchangeably.

4G refers to an entirely different generation of mobile networks, and 4G LTE refers to a better version of the 4G network. The major difference between 4G and 4G LTE is that the former offers lower speed and higher latency than the speed and latency of the latter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When was 4G launched?

This network is estimated to have been launched in December 2009. Sweden, Stockholm, Oslo, and Norway were among the first few places to witness the application of this network.

Q2. What type of network are 4G and 4G LTE networks?

The former is a completely new generation of mobile networks that came after the 3G network, whereas the latter is just an updated or better version of the 4G network. It is not an entirely new generation of mobile networks.

Q3. Why was 4G LTE developed?

This network was developed because the previous network, i.e., the 4G network, could not deliver the promises it made successfully. It promised a speed of up to 100 Mbps, but in reality, people were able to receive a speed of 14 Mbps, creating the need for a 4G LTE network.

Q4. What are the major differences between 4G and 4G LTE networks?

The notable differences between 4G and 4G LTE networks are that the former is associated with offering a moderate speed and latency, whereas the latter is associated with offering a higher speed and a lower latency.

Q5. When did 1G and 2G come out?

The former came out during the 1980s and offered a speed of about 1-2 kbps with no latency, whereas the latter came out during the 1990s and offered a speed of about 380 kbps along with a latency of around 680 milliseconds.