Definition[]
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is
| “ | a commercial data standard for wireless technologies that uses cellular radio links for consumers to access the Internet using their smart phones, tablets, and other portable devices.[1] | ” |
Overview[]
LTE is the standard created and adopted by the Third Generation Partnership Project, a standards organization, and is the closest standard to fourth generation wireless (4G) technology. LTE has been accepted and adopted by national and international communities as the foundation for future mobile telecommunications.
Like all 4G wireless technologies, LTE's core network uses Internet protocols. The network architecture is intended to facilitate mobile broadband deployment with capabilities that can deliver large amounts of data, quickly and efficiently, to large numbers of simultaneous users.
LTE will likely be implemented in stages through modifications to networks using frequencies in bands already allocated for commercial wireless network. LTE can also operate on spectrum bands at 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, and 3.4 GHz. Many of the global mobile network operators have reportedly announced their intention to move to LTE.