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Technology hub

Cellular: 4G, 5G and IoT networks

Everything about the mobile networks our routers connect to: 4G LTE, 5G, RedCap, LTE-M and NB-IoT, and how to use them for primary broadband, backup and IoT. Written by our team, who have been connecting businesses over cellular since the 3G days.

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Explore Cellular

Cellular is the common thread across almost everything we sell. A router, gateway or modem is only as good as the mobile connection behind it, and that depends on the network technology, the SIM, the antenna and where the kit is installed.

In the UK, 4G LTE still carries most IoT and business traffic and reaches almost everywhere. 5G adds speed and capacity, and 5G standalone is bringing lower latency. For devices that send small amounts of data, LTE-M, NB-IoT and 5G RedCap trade speed for lower cost and power. 3G has already been switched off and 2G will follow, so anything still relying on them needs replacing.

The pages below explain each technology in plain English, when it makes sense and what to look for in a router. Each one links to the products that use it and to our explainers for the detail.

Topics in this hub

  • 4G LTE: The mainstream cellular technology for routers and IoT, from Cat 1 for low data to Cat 6 and above with carrier aggregation.
  • 5G: Fifth-generation mobile: higher speeds and capacity than 4G, with standalone networks bringing lower latency.
  • 5G RedCap: Reduced Capability 5G: lower cost, lower power 5G for IoT devices that need more than 4G Cat 1 but not full 5G speeds.
  • LTE-M and NB-IoT: Low-power cellular for sensors and meters that send small amounts of data, designed for battery life measured in years.
  • Fixed wireless access (FWA): Using 4G or 5G as the main broadband line for a building, usually with an outdoor router or external antenna, where fibre is slow or not available.
  • Cellular backup and failover: Automatic switch to 4G or 5G when the main line fails, and back again when it returns, so tills, phones and systems keep working.
  • Dual SIM and multi-network: Two SIMs or a multi-network SIM so a site can use whichever network is strongest and keep working if one network fails.
  • Satellite and bonding: Satellite and bonded links where cellular coverage alone is not enough, for remote sites, events and critical services.

Talk to an M2M and IoT connectivity specialist. Not sure which technology fits your project? Tell us what you need to connect and where, and our UK team will recommend the router, antenna and SIM, with pre-sales advice, after-sales technical support and a range of configuration options.

Send us your requirements Call 0300 124 6181

Questions

Should I buy 4G or 5G?

Choose 4G when coverage and cost matter most and the job does not need high speed, such as telemetry, alarms and most CCTV. Choose 5G for office broadband, multi-camera sites and anywhere you want headroom for the future, where there is good 5G coverage.

Is 4G being switched off?

No. 3G has been switched off in the UK and 2G will follow, but 4G is the backbone of the networks and will be around for many years.

In the glossary: Frequency band

Guides and case studies

Explainer

Benefits of Cat 6 LTE

Cat 6 is the mobile category you see on the spec sheet of routers like the Teltonika RUT261. The headline…

Explainer

What is 5G Slicing?

What is 5G Network Slicing? 5G network slicing is a technique that divides a single physical 5G mobile network into…

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