Why Does It Say LTE and Not 4G?
Today, we’re going to talk about why LTE is often referred to instead of 4G, even though it seems like LTE should be a part of the 4G generation. As we learned about 4G networks and their capabilities, you might be wondering why LTE (Long-Term Evolution) isn’t directly labeled as 4G. Let’s break it down and make it easy for you to understand the distinction between these two terms.
Understanding the Difference Between LTE and 4G
First, let’s clear up the confusion between LTE and 4G. You might think LTE is simply another name for 4G, but that’s not entirely accurate. In simple terms, LTE is a step toward 4G, but it doesn’t fully meet the technical requirements set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for 4G networks.
The ITU has specific criteria for what defines a “true” 4G network. These include:
- Data speeds of at least 100 Mbps for high mobility (like in cars) and 1 Gbps for low mobility (like stationary users).
- Low latency, which is crucial for applications like gaming or video conferencing.
While LTE provides faster speeds compared to 3G, it doesn’t quite meet all the criteria needed to be officially called 4G. So, in some cases, you might hear people say that LTE is “pre-4G” or simply a part of the 4G evolution, but not the final version.
LTE Advanced and True 4G
When we move from regular LTE to LTE-Advanced, that’s when you can really start calling it “4G.” LTE-Advanced fulfills all the technical requirements set by the ITU, offering higher speeds, better efficiency, and lower latency, which make it a true 4G technology. So, in essence, LTE-Advanced is considered the official 4G, but regular LTE isn’t quite there yet.
Why the Confusion Between LTE and 4G?
The reason you might see LTE marketed as 4G is due to how quickly LTE technology has become widespread. Network providers and manufacturers adopted LTE quickly because of its significant performance improvements over 3G, especially in terms of speed and latency. This led to a marketing push, where LTE was referred to as 4G even before it fully met the technical requirements. This is one of the main reasons why consumers often hear the terms interchangeably, even though there’s a difference.
How Does LTE Compare to 3G and 5G?
If we look at the bigger picture, LTE is a significant improvement over 3G in terms of speed and overall performance. However, it’s still not as fast or capable as 5G, which is the next generation of wireless technology. As we learned in previous articles, 5G promises ultra-fast speeds, extremely low latency, and massive capacity for connecting many devices at once, which LTE and even LTE-Advanced can’t fully match.
Now, you have a better understanding of why LTE is commonly referred to as 4G, even though it’s not technically the full 4G standard. It serves as a bridge between the older 3G technology and the full capabilities of 4G and beyond. It’s an important stepping stone toward achieving true 4G and 5G networks.