What is LTE?

Mobile operators continue to upgrade their networks, and many Lumia devices are equipped with 4G LTE-enabled standards. But what exactly is LTE and what does it mean for you?

LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution.” It’s a 4G (fourth generation) wireless broadband technology developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an industry trade group.

Wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon offer 4G and 4G LTE networking standards and are slowly replacing older 3G (third generation) data networks.

A recent report by Open Signal claims that 4G LTE download speed is more than five times faster than 3G–a major leap forward in wireless technology. This advanced technology is supported by the new Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL LTE Dual SIM and other Lumia smartphones such as the Lumia 635, Lumia 830, Lumia 925, Lumia 1020, Lumia 1520, Lumia 638 and Lumia 735.

Simply put, with a 4G LTE* enabled Lumia, you get uninterrupted and smooth streaming of live video and you can enjoy online multiplayer games as well. Find the best 4G LTE Lumia smartphone by checking out this recent story.

You should also know that Lumia smartphones have the option to change the “highest connection speed” according to our needs and the services offered in a specific region.

For instance, in India, the average mobile phone owner uses a 2G data connection, though people in some states have the option to subscribe to 4G. In the United States and the United Kingdom, connecting via 4G is more common.

Whatever your network or plan, you can choose your connectivity speed. Under Settings, select “cellular+SIM” and select “3G or 4G” depending on your Lumia.

An even speedier 5G connection may be available in the next few years.

Last month, researchers at the University of Surrey’s 5G Innovation Centre (5GIC) achieved record-breaking speeds of one terabit per second (Tbps) during their testing of 5G data connections. The head of the 5GIC stated that he hopes to demonstrate 5G technology to the public in 2018!

Which Lumia do you use to stay connected to the world?

*Data-transfer speeds vary due to factors like the carrier and coverage area.