Cellular Modem FAQ's
What Is The Difference Between Lte Cat And Standard Lte Modems?
An LTE Cat Modem, such as an LTE Cat 4, LTE Cat 6, or LTE Cat M1 modem, denotes a specific categorisation within the LTE (Long-Term Evolution) standard. These categories define the modem’s maximum theoretical download and upload speeds, latency, and power consumption characteristics.
For example:
- LTE Cat 4 Modem: Offers download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps, suitable for general industrial applications.
- LTE Cat 6 Modem: Utilises carrier aggregation to achieve higher speeds, with downloads up to 300 Mbps and uploads up to 50 Mbps, beneficial for applications requiring greater bandwidth.
- LTE Cat M1 Modem: Designed for low-power, low-bandwidth IoT applications, prioritising extended battery life and broad coverage over high data rates.
In contrast, “standard LTE modem” is a broad term that simply indicates a modem uses LTE technology without specifying its performance tier. Therefore, the key difference lies in the precision of “LTE Cat,” which specifies the performance and application suitability of the modem within the broader LTE framework. Rugged Limited offers a range of industrial modems that leverage various LTE Cat specifications to meet diverse operational needs.
TRM250
- Reinforced aluminium housing
- IP30 ingress protection
- Supports LTE Cat M1 and NB-IoT
- Wide operating temperature range
TRM500
- 5G Sub-6GHz with fallback to 4G LTE and 3G
- Rugged anodised aluminium housing with IP30 sealing
- Flexible power options including industrial DC and USB Type-C
- DIN rail and wall mount compatibility for field deployment
TRM240
- LTE Cat 1 connectivity up to 10 Mbps download
- Robust aluminium housing and IP30 dust sealing
- Wide operating temperature range -40 °C to 75 °C
- Electromagnetic compatibility to MIL-STD standards
SKDS2-ACR
- Reinforced aluminium case
- Dual SMA connectors for MIMO
- Wide temperature range -40 6C to 80 6C
- Certified for FCC CE RoHS standards
- Aircraft grade aluminium casing
- Continuous-duty operation with 8+ years MTBF
- Supports major US LTE bands Verizon and AT&T
- Embedded connection manager with watchdog
M1000MP
- Rugged plastic housing for dust and moisture resistance
- Supports GSM, UMTS, and LTE Cat 1 networks
- Wide 6 to 36V DC power input
- Serial and mini USB interfaces for flexible connectivity
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If your question is not covered here, or if you would like further technical guidance, our team is on hand to help. We can assist with product selection, deployment planning, compatibility queries, and best-practice advice to ensure your product is the right fit for your environment.