The days of rotary phones have been long gone for years. Even home phone landlines are becoming a thing of the past as cell phone services continue to decrease in price. But as with any technology, even if you have a cell phone you may not be keeping up with the latest technology. Each year new models, new features and new service upgrades are developed to keep us connected. One of the features you hear often, but may not fully understand, is LTE. So what exactly is LTE and do you really need it?
The Technical Definition
LTE stands for long-term evolution. You will often hear it marketed as 4G LTE, with 4G being the speed and LTE being a standard. This is a standard of wireless communication that is based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies. It increases the speed and capacity of mobile data usage. It was first launched in Oslo and Stockholm in 2009 and widely marketed by Verizon in the U.S. in 2010.
In Lamens Terms
To put it in simpler terms, LTE is a mobile communication standard that allows more mobile data to be transferred at higher speeds. Similar to your home wireless network, mobile data technology will continue to increase in capacity and speed in order to accommodate the increase in usage as well as the increase in data file sizes and carrier networks. In comparison, 4G LTE can be demonstrated against 2 or 3G services and the difference is visually noticeable.
Smartphones, Tablets, and Mobile Internet
If you remember the first brick sized cell phone, you remember how heavy it was and how hard it was to carry it around. As technology advanced, cell phones got smaller and more features were available. From text messaging, to email, to mobile internet browsing, the mobile devices we use are more than a way to call a cab.
Without the new LTE standard, these devices would run slow, have unreliable connections, and wouldn’t have gained the consumer acceptance they have today. The launch of the iPad would not have sparked the tablet wars and their initial customer base would have been those willing to use subpar service on the device, and more than likely only use it when absolutely necessary.
Even with 4G LTE service available, not every phone offers it, not every phone service carries it and it is still in limited areas across the globe. The more popular devices such as the Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, and Nokia Lumina are among the devices that offer 4G LTE. More importantly your phone won’t always have LTE connection unless every tower in your area allows it.
Regardless of the model of phone you are using, the indicator will show you the speed you are connected to, whether it is 4G HSPA or 4G LTE. 4G HSPA is the standard 4G connection, which is still faster than a 3G device, but is not true 4G LTE. If you want 4G LTE service, ask your carrier which devices and areas offer LTE before signing a contract.
What Makes 4G LTE So Special
For carriers 4G LTE is a low cost upgrade. It utilizes the same amount of bandwidth to transfer more data at faster speeds, which means increased performance without an increased cost to the carrier. For consumers there is a list of benefits to choosing 4G LTE.
- Peak download rates of up to 299.6mbps and uploads up to 75.4mbps.
- Low data transfer latencies.
- Increased spectrum flexibility, allowing 4G LTE to be used throughout a wider frequency range and more towers.
- Ability to have LTE in areas that offer it but remain 4G in areas that don’t.
- Ability to operate LTE on lower frequencies to offer it in rural areas.
So if you have ever wondered what exactly 4G LTE is, now you have a better idea. If you were uncertain of whether you had it, now you know how to check. If you were on the fence about whether or not 4G LTE is worth it, now you know. More data at faster speeds with no extra cost makes 4G LTE a great technology for both consumers and carriers.
Andrea Witherspoon is a technology blogger following the latest mobile technology. You can follow her as well at @AndreaWTweets.
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