4G LTE Cat 1 vs. Cat 4 - practical throughput?

[Martin F]

Hi all,

We're looking at whether to select a 4G LTE Cat 1 or Cat 4 module for an IIoT device.

We ideally need to upload at a rate of 3-5 Mbit/s, hence a Cat 1 should in principle suffice (5 Mbit/s UL speed). However, from vendors we hear that the "practical" throughput on such a Cat 1 module may in reality be around 50% (i.e. 2.5 Mbit/s).

What we are unsure of is this:

1) If the "practical throughput" in terms of upload speed of an LTE Cat 1 module is e.g. 50% of 5 Mbit/s in a specific area (e.g. rural area), would the practical throughput of an LTE Cat 4 module variant then be 50% of 50 Mbit/s in this area (i.e. 25 Mbit/s) - or would it in reality be capped to the same level as LTE Cat 1 (i.e. 2.5 Mbit/s)?

2) Are there other practical advantages in an LTE Cat 4 module vs. Cat 1 expect the upload speed, everything else equal? (e.g. stability, coverage, ...)

Your inputs would be helpful in us trying to identify pros/cons between Cat 1 and Cat 4 in this regard.

Thanks!