What does “LTE” mean on the phone?

Curious about the LTE icon on your smartphone? It is one of the many wireless standards that allow you to communicate on the go. But what does he do? LTE I mean, how is it different from 5G network?

4G standard

LTE or Long Term Evolution is the 4G wireless broadband standard that carriers use to deliver data and voice services on your phone. It provides faster internet speeds and lower latency than 3G. As a result, you can stream videos, play games, and perform high-speed data transfers in the palm of your hand.

LTE is mainly used on smartphones and Mobile hotspots. But you’ll find technology in some, too smart watchestablets, laptopand other devices.

While LTE is frequently marketed as 4G LTE, it technically does not meet the 4G wireless service standards it has set. Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). The Radiocommunication Sector is a unit of the International Telecommunication Union, which is responsible for developing communication standards, such as 4G. According to ITU-R, real 4G provides peak data transmission speeds At least 100Mbps while on the move and at least 1Gbps while stationary.

However, when mobile carriers cannot achieve these speeds, the radio sector eased requirements So LTE can be marketed as 4G technology. ITU-R said that any wireless technology that provides a “significant level of improvement in performance and capabilities” over the initial 3G network could also be considered 4G.

What are LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro?

LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro are enhanced versions of the LTE standard and are capable of providing faster internet speeds. In theory, LTE Advanced can offer a maximum data download rate of 1 Gbps, and the Advanced Pro can reach 3 Gbps. As a result, LTE Advanced and Advanced Pro meet the technical requirements of a true 4G network.

Fortunately, both LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro are backward compatible, and regular LTE devices can work with these networks. But, unfortunately, you will not get the enhanced benefits.

Many LTE networks around the world have already been upgraded to LTE Advanced. And it’s represented by the LTE+, 4G+, or LTE-A icons on your phone, instead of the usual LTE or 4G.

Related: How much internet speed do you really need?

How does LTE work?

Cellular Standards It traditionally uses both circuit-switched and packet-switched networks to provide voice and data services to its customers. While a circuit switched network establishes a dedicated connection to the person on the other end and maintains the connection until the call is complete, a packet switched network, on the other hand, uses data packets To transfer information from one device to another over a digital network. These data packets are free to take the path of least resistance to reach their destination and do not need a dedicated line.

Unlike 2G and 3G technologies, LTE uses an entire packet switched network. As a result, there is no switching of circuits for making voice calls. Instead, VoLTE or Voice-over LTE is used to handle voice calls. However, LTE supports Option Switch Backup (CSFB) to allow voice calls through existing 3G and 2G networks when the phone does not support VoLTE or LTE is not available. In fact, during early LTE implementations, carriers used CSFB a lot. But VoLTE is very popular now.

LTE efficiently uses existing network bandwidth to deliver faster, lower internet speeds response time. This is possible thanks to techniques such as MIMO or multi-input outputTransmission aggregation, multiband mods, and more.

LTE vs 5G

Although LTE remains the dominant cellular technology standard worldwide, 5G or 5G wireless broadband technologies are rapidly gaining momentum. A number of wireless carriers around the world, including in North America, are rolling out 5G networks that promise faster internet speed, reliability, and bandwidth.

So with 5G, you can expect to upload or download data at a much faster speed than LTE. It will also allow you to enjoy bandwidth-intensive data, applications and services such as cloud gamesHD streaming, etc.

5G networks are theoretically capable of providing download speeds of up to 10 Gbps. However, these highest data rates are only possible with mmWave 5G High Frequency Bands. 5G can also take advantage of sub-6GHz frequency bands, but internet speeds in those frequency bands won’t be as high as mmWave 5G, although it’s still more than LTE speeds.

And as 5G networks are still developing, it will take time to mature as LTE has matured over the years. Moreover, since 5G is a new technology and is not backward compatible, like any other previous network generation, you will need 5G compatible device to experience it. So, for example, your LTE phone will not be able to connect to the 5G network.

All in all, while 5G offers many advantages over LTE, it’s not quite ready to replace LTE just yet. So for the next few years, at least, we’ll see 5G and LTE coexist and complement each other.

Related: What iPhones have 5G?