Analysis of threats and variability after implementation of 4G/LTE technology

DOI: 10.31673/2412-4338.2019.042538

Abstract

The article deals with the vulnerability of 4G/LTE cellular networks in critical infrastructures. The technological revolution in the field of mobile wireless broadband cellular networks attracts Ukraine to the necessity of introducing new technologies in the processes of building the digital economy of the future. One such technology is LTE. The article shows that the study of threats and vulnerabilities of 4G/LTE cellular network elements for critical infrastructures is relatively new and not well-known, so the topic of work is relevant and practically in demand. In the article the task is set: when considering the mobile 4G/LTE mobile broadband cellular networks, based on the analysis of the functioning of its elements, identify the threats for potentially vulnerable elements. To solve the problem, the description of innovative mechanisms for the introduction of mobile communication of the 4th generation is performed, the analysis of trends in the development of services for advanced areas of application of mobile communications 4G/LTE standard, to consider the threats to the radio interface of 4G/LTE cellular networks, which allows to determine the potential the vulnerability of its individual elements. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that the introduction of 4G/LTE networks will inevitably face new challenges, in particular: for most consumers, standard LTE services are likely to be quite expensive, so such networks will not be widely available for a long time; LTE smartphones and modems will not be able to demonstrate their functionality because the existing majority of phones and tablets will not be able to use a significant portion of the spectrum to be used because they do not have the appropriate chips; there is a problem with high energy consumption of the batteries of the end devices and for a long time charging the batteries, which make them a little functional.

Keywords: 4G/LTE cellular networks, vulnerability, critical infrastructure.

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