Estimate LTE cell and site throughput from channel bandwidth, spectral efficiency and MIMO layers.
Spectral efficiency already folds in modulation, coding and typical channel conditions, so multiplying it by the channel bandwidth gives a realistic cell rate rather than a marketing peak. MIMO layers multiply that, and the planned-load factor keeps the design off the congestion knee. Radio capacity, not backhaul, is usually the binding constraint on a cell site, and knowing the honest number tells you whether to add carriers, sectors or a whole new site.
LTE Cell Capacity
cell throughput = bandwidth (MHz) × spectral efficiency (bps/Hz) × MIMO layers; site = cell × sectors.
cell throughput = bandwidth (MHz) × spectral efficiency (bps/Hz) × MIMO layers; site = cell × sectors. Spectral efficiency already folds in modulation, coding and typical channel conditions, so multiplying it by the channel bandwidth gives a realistic cell rate rather than a marketing peak. MIMO layers multiply that, and the planned-load factor keeps the design off the congestion knee.
Radio capacity, not backhaul, is usually the binding constraint on a cell site, and knowing the honest number tells you whether to add carriers, sectors or a whole new site.
This calculator takes 6 inputs: Channel bandwidth, Average spectral efficiency, MIMO layers, Sectors per site, Planned cell load, Throughput promised per active user. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.