Choosing a Modem Router
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Most modern customers expect data speeds well beyond what a CAT-4 can offer
When choosing a Modem Router, a higher LTE category (e.g. CAT-12) means better performance. A CAT-6 will usually perform twice as fast as a CAT-4 in the same location, and a CAT-12 will usually perform at least twice as fast as a CAT-6 at the same location. Choosing a higher category modem also means you can get better speeds than a lower category modem in areas with poor signal which really makes a difference to the quality of the service. But there's more - with a CAT-12 or CAT-6 modem it is possible get service in areas where the signal so low that it's unusable on a CAT-4.
The key takeaway
Choosing a modem category that is too low for the location or the role of the device in the bigger ICT picture leads to higher rates of product returns, revisits to site, more technical trouble tickets, lower customer satisfaction and more.
If you are an installer
Find out how much data capacity your customers generally require. If they are in an area with good signal and just want something to do some light browising or video streaming, or run multiple security cameras, then perhaps a CAT-6 is the right choice for the most reliable connection. A CAT-4 may even do in a pinch with the right antenna combination and you are armed with the knowledge one of our pre-check site surveys offers.
But if your customer wants no compromises on speed or needs to support multiple devices streaming content, browisng the internet fast download speeds, or are in an area where the signal is poor, there is no question, nothing less than a CAT-12 device is going to cut it.
Technical Explaination
In addition to accessing wider bandwidth, higher category modems are also packed with more advanced technology inside
Start off by considering the following table:
Category
Maximum Bandwidth (Carrier Aggregation)
Maximum Speed (Download/Upload)
CAT-4
2x 10MHz
150Mbps/50Mbps
CAT-6
2x 20MHz
300Mbps/50Mbps
CAT-12
3x 20MHz
600Mbps/150Mbps
Higher categories are able to utilise more of the available bandwitdh. But in addition to having wider bandwidth to play with, they are also packed with more advanced technology inside which allows them to run more sophisticated modulation schemes on top of that bandwidth, which translates to higher capacity and better data integrity - which translates to better speeds. This is why when you put a CAT-4 or a CAT-6 beside a CAT-12 you notice such a dramatic difference, even on the same network with the same signal.
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We have been helping Australians solve their mobile connectivity issues for over a decade, so we understand what it takes to achieve the best possible performance. That is why we started Telco Electronics, our own line of high performance and easy to use modem routers. While they work great out of the box, they are packed with useful settings and hardware features to optimise your connection too, like: Band Locking to tune your Telco device for your environment, saving cost and improving performance, Bridge Mode for effortless integration into existing networks, and support for Telco Cloud Management System, our all-in-one remote management and monitoring suite.
Pair a Telco Electronics device with one of our Telco antennas for maximum performance. Need advice for picking an antenna, would like firmware customisation, engineering or techincal support? We are based in Brisbane, so just drop us a line, we're happy to help!
If you've read our guides and are still unsure of the best solution for your situation, call or drop us a line - sometimes it helps to chat with an expert!
With the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks looming on the horizon, many organizations are faced with the difficult question of "So, what's next?" The key question to really ask is, "Well, what is the application?" Essentially, it's crucial to understand the current or projected use case and how it will be impacted by the new LTE technology. Additionally, consider where you are today, where you want to be in five years, and most importantly, what business problems you aim to solve with the new network capabilities.
Soon, you'll identify various critical aspects underlying these key business and technology questions that need further analysis:
- Bandwidth: Determine whether you need data transferred in bursts or as a steady feed over time; decide if you need to transfer only a few bytes or several GB each day.
- Data Plan: Evaluate if real-time data is a necessity or if a delay of several seconds, minutes, or hours is tolerable, and choose the most economical plan.
- Connectivity: Decide if your organization requires communication localized across a building, plant, or city, or even across a country or worldwide. Consider the necessity of constant online availability and if downtime could risk lost revenue, regulatory penalties, or safety violations.
- Environmental: Assess whether your equipment will be in a climate-controlled environment or outdoors in harsh, possibly hazardous settings. Determine if AC power will be available, or if battery or solar power is the only option.
- What about 5G? Finally, weigh the pros and cons of waiting for 5G. Is adopting a bleeding-edge technology in its initial stages worthwhile, or would relying on a proven, leading-edge technology like 4G be better? Consider if this transition will enhance your application or its output. Keep in mind that 4G will eventually evolve into 5G.
Today, we are at a crossroads. One path involves utilizing Gigabit LTE for high-speed applications in retail, enterprise, or transportation industries requiring connections with main-powered, high bandwidth, and higher-cost solutions. The other path involves 4G LTE optimized for IoT applications in industrial locations to connect machines and other critical assets needing low bandwidth, low cost, and low or battery power, as indicated by the chart below.
4G LTE's Growth Path for IoT
Each 4G LTE technology has its advantages and disadvantages, and the potential rollout of LTE-M or NB-IoT as secondary networks by carriers adds more complexity. Here’s a more detailed look at the available technology options for IoT devices:
- CAT 1: Ideal for many single-device IoT applications requiring mains power, like digital signage, kiosks, industrial controllers, and security cameras. It is globally available wherever LTE is accessible.
- CAT 3/4: With potential speeds of up to 100-150 Mbps, this technology is designed for IoT routers connecting multiple devices but may be overkill for most single-device IoT applications.
- CAT-M/LTE-M: Suited for traditional 2G-type applications and mobile devices like asset trackers and battery-powered IoT sensors. Defined in 2016, it isn’t fully available globally but is prevalent in North and Latin American and Asian markets with early LTE adoption.
- NB-IoT: Best for battery-powered devices that don’t require mobility, such as fixed-asset sensors. Also defined in 2016, it is not globally available at this time but is fitting for markets with late LTE adoption, like Europe.
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