Frequently Asked Questions About LTE Network Technology Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > The 5G Connection Corner 32 32 people found this article helpful
Frequently Asked Questions About LTE
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 5, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email The 5G Connection Corner Browsers Cloud Services Error Messages Family Tech Home Networking 5G Antivirus Around the Web LTE – Long Term Evolution is a technology standard for high-speed wireless communications through cellular networks. Large telecommunication companies around the world have integrated LTE into their networks by installing and upgrading equipment on cell towers and in data centers. 01 of 11 What Types of Devices Support LTE
Westend61 / Getty Images Devices with LTE support began appearing in 2010. Higher-end smartphones starting with Apple iPhone 5 feature LTE support, as do many tablets with cellular network interfaces. Newer travel routers have also added LTE capability. PCs and other laptop or desktop computers generally do not offer LTE. 02 of 11 How Fast Is LTE
skaman306 / Getty Images Customers using an LTE network experience greatly varying connection speeds depending on their provider and current network traffic conditions. Benchmark studies show LTE in the U.S. typically supports downloads (downlink) data rates between 5 and 50 Mbps with uplink (upload) rates between 1 and 20 Mbps. (The theoretical maximum data rate for standard LTE is 300 Mbps.) A technology called LTE-Advanced improves on standard LTE by adding new wireless transmission capabilities. LTE-Advanced supports a theoretical maximum data rate more than three times that of standard LTE, up to 1 Gbps, allowing customers to enjoy downloads at 100 Mbps or better. 03 of 11 Is LTE a 4G Protocol
Busakorn Pongparnit / Getty Images The networking industry recognizes LTE a 4G technology along with WiMax and HSPA+. None of these qualified as 4G based on the original definition of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standards group, but in December 2010 the ITU redefined 4G to include them. While some marketing professionals and press have labeled LTE-Advanced as 5G, no widely-approved definition of 5G exists to justify the claim. 04 of 11 Where Is LTE Available
Dong Wenjie / Getty Images LTE is broadly deployed in urban areas of North America and Europe. Many larger cities on other continents although have LTE rolled out, but the coverage varies greatly by region. Many parts of Africa and some countries in South America lack LTE or similar high-speed wireless communication infrastructure. China has also been relatively slow to adopt LTE compared to other industrialized nations. Those living or traveling in rural areas are unlikely to find LTE service. Even in more populated areas, LTE connectivity can prove unreliable when roaming due to local gaps in service coverage. 05 of 11 Does LTE Support Phone Calls
Westend61 / Getty Images LTE communications work over Internet Protocol (IP) with no provision for analog data such as voice. Service providers normally configure their phones to switch between a different communication protocol for phone calls and LTE for data transfers. However, several voice over IP (VoIP) technologies have been designed to extend LTE to support simultaneous voice and data traffic. Providers are expected to gradually phase these VoIP solutions their LTE networks in the coming years. 06 of 11 Does LTE Reduce the Battery Life of Mobile Devices
JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images Many customers have reported reduced battery life when enabling the LTE functions of their device. Battery drain can happen when a device receives a relatively weak LTE signal from the cell towers, effectively making the device work harder to maintain a stable connection. Battery life also decreases if a device maintains more than one wireless connection and switches between them, which can happen if a customer is roaming and changing to one service and back frequently. These battery life complications are not limited to LTE, but LTE can exacerbate them as the availability of service can be more limited than other types of cell communication. Battery issues should become a non-factor as the availability and reliability of LTE improves. 07 of 11 How Do LTE Routers Work
alxpin / Getty Images LTE routers contain a built-in LTE broadband modem and enable local Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet devices to share the LTE connection. Note that LTE routers do not actually create a local LTE communications network within the home or local area. 08 of 11 Is LTE Secure
Photographer is my life. / Getty Images Similar security considerations apply to LTE as other IP networks. While no IP network is truly secure, LTE incorporates various network security features designed to protect data traffic. 09 of 11 Is LTE Better Than Wi-Fi
Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images LTE and Wi-Fi serve different purposes. Wi-Fi works best for servicing wireless local area networks while LTE works well for long-distance communications and roaming. 10 of 11 How Does a Person Sign Up for LTE Service
Busakorn Pongparnit / Getty Images A person must first acquire an LTE client device and then sign up for service with an available provider. Especially outside the United States, only one provider may service some locales. Via a restriction called locking, some devices, primarily smartphones, only work with one carrier even if others exist in that region. 11 of 11 Which LTE Service Providers Are Best
d3sign / Getty Images The best LTE networks offer a combination of wide coverage, high reliability, high performance, affordable prices and great customer service. Naturally, no one service provider excels in every aspect. Some, like AT&T in the U.S., claim higher speed while others like Verizon tout their wider availability. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 5G: Everything You Need to Know 5G Internet: The High-Speed Replacement for Cable? How Are 4G and 5G Different? T-Mobile 5G: When & Where You Can Get It What Is HSPA and HSPA+ on 3G Cellphones 5G Cell Towers: Why You See Them and How They Work 5G Speed: How to Understand the Numbers 6G: What It Is & When to Expect It The 7 Best Family Cell Phone Plans of 2022 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) 5G Availability Around the World Understanding How a Mobile Network Works The 7 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2022 How Fast Is a Cellphone Modem for Wireless Internet? 5GE vs. LTE: What's the Difference? WiMax vs. LTE Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies