What is IMT-Advanced?
IMT-Advanced is the ITU standard framework that defines the requirements for 4G mobile systems, succeeding IMT-2000 (3G). It specifies minimum performance targets including 100 Mbps peak data rate for high-mobility scenarios and 1 Gbps for low-mobility/stationary scenarios. LTE-Advanced (3GPP Release 10) was the primary technology recognised by the ITU as meeting IMT-Advanced requirements, earning the designation of a true 4G system.
How Does IMT-Advanced Work?
IMT-Advanced was developed by ITU-R Working Party 5D through a process of defining requirements (ITU-R M.2134), evaluating candidate technologies, and issuing recommendations. The key performance requirements include: 100 Mbps peak downlink for high mobility, 1 Gbps for low mobility, improved spectral efficiency over IMT-2000, support for scalable bandwidth up to 100 MHz, and seamless handover across heterogeneous networks. LTE-Advanced met these requirements through carrier aggregation (up to 100 MHz), enhanced MIMO (up to 8×8 DL), relay nodes, eICIC for HetNets, and CoMP. The IMT-Advanced framework subsequently informed the development of IMT-2020 (the 5G requirements framework).
Use Cases
ITU designation of 4G technologies, spectrum allocation for 4G IMT bands, regulatory framework for mobile broadband licensing, benchmark for next-generation requirements (IMT-2020), and international harmonisation of mobile technology standards.
3GPP / Standards Reference
ITU-R M.2012 (Detailed specifications of terrestrial IMT-Advanced technologies), ITU-R M.2134 (Requirements related to IMT-Advanced), 3GPP TS 36.300 (E-UTRAN Release 10+)
Related Terms
4G | LTE | IMT-2020 | Carrier Aggregation | CoMP
Learn More
This glossary entry is part of the 5GWorldPro Complete 5G Glossary. To go deeper into 5G architecture and technology, explore our 5G Training courses.
