Long Term Evolution explained

  • Wed, 3 Feb 2010

I know that Long Term Evolution is meant to help boost broadband speeds, but what exactly is it?

Long Term Evolution, commonly abbreviated to LTE, relates to the upgrading of mobile networks to cope better with the services they provide such as mobile broadband.

Currently most technology used for mobile services is known as 2G (second-generation) and 3G (third-generation); LTE is referred to as being a 4G technology.

While mobile broadband is catered for by 3G networks, 4G will offer much higher speeds making surfing on the move faster.

LTE can offer these faster speeds by making more efficient use of the radio spectrum available to mobile operators.

Rather than relying on 'packet switching' techniques, where data is divided into chunks of a certain size before it is relayed, LTE uses IP (Internet Protocol) technology, which simplifies the process of sending data over the network.

Currently, few LTE networks have actually been deployed, though many mobile operators are trialling them.

General PC

Problems Solved

Solutions to all your general PC maintenance problems

  • Print
  • Share