Long Term Evolution

Long Term Evolution Internet (LTE Internet)

The technology known as LTE or Long Term Evolution is seen by many of the main mobile network providers as becoming the key to building a new fourth generation or 4G network across the UK. To be classed as a 4G network a mobile network provider will have to completely rebuild its existing mobile network with a next generation technology like Long Term Evolution in order to provide its users with more advanced features and facilities.

How will Long Term Evolution technology affect how mobile broadband is used?

As a 4G technology Long Term Evolution will not only provide users with much faster download speeds and a greater level of reliability when accessing their mobile broadband service but will also provide mobile network providers will a much greater capacity and the ability to handle far more connections to their networks by users accessing via smart phones and other mobile broadband devices. When all these features offered by Long Term Evolution are combined they offer users a mobile broadband service that is comparable to many of the regular fixed line broadband connections currently available but with the flexibility of being accessible from anywhere in the country. This means that users can stream music and high definition films, download large files and access a range of online applications and tools using Long Term Evolution networks whilst on the move.

Another great benefit to users is the huge increase in the level of coverage that a 4G service like Long Term Evolution will provide compared to the current 3G networks and with fewer base stations needed to offer this coverage it will also make it far more cost effective for mobile broadband providers. The deployment of LTE 4G networks will also offer super-fast mobile broadband services to the more remote and rural parts of the UK that currently have little or no access to either mobile broadband or an adequate fixed-line broadband service.

Will any other 4G technologies be competing with LTE?

With the future of 4G technology still unclear there are currently two major technologies fighting to become the main provider for the next generation of mobile broadband networks and they are Long Term Evolution and WiMAX. Just like Long Term Evolution the benefits offered by WiMAX technology include high-speed mobile broadband connections, increased network coverage and a greater capacity to support a large number of users. This, however, is where the similarity ends as the technologies used by WiMAX and LTE are completely different as is the way these two technologies will eventually be incorporated into mobile broadband networks.

Until the telecommunication industry decides whether Long Term Evolution or WiMAX will be classed as a true 4G technology there is still uncertainty in which of these will ultimately be used by mobile network providers, although at the moment most providers seem to be looking at LTE and some have even trialled the technology in order to see whether it will fit their business requirements.