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What is LTE (Long-Term Evolution)? LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a fourth-generation (4G) wireless standard that provides increased network capacity and speed for cellphones and other cellular devices compared with third-generation (3G) technology.

The high-level network architecture of LTE is composed of the following three key components: The User Equipment (UE). The Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

LTE is the latest generation of the 3GPP standards. The LTE standard specifies an IP-only network supporting data rates up to 150 Mbps. These high data rates will enables new applications and services such as voice over IP, streaming multimedia, videoconferencing or even a high-speed cellular modem.

4G is significantly faster. LTE offers only 100 Mbps, while true 4G offers up to 1,000 Mbps. However, if we take a look at the LTE-A speeds, the difference disappears as it also offers 1,000 Mbps. As a result, there is no clear answer as it depends on which technology you are using, LTE or LTE-A.

GPP engineers named the technology "Long Term Evolution" because it represents the next step (4G) in a progression from GSM, a 2G standard, to UMTS, the 3G technologies based upon GSM. The upper layers of LTE are based upon TCP/IP, and support mixed data, voice, video and messaging traffic.

In telecommunications, long-term evolution (LTE) is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals, based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA standards.

First, “4G” represents the fourth generation of mobile technology, the next big advancement after 3G. And “long-term evolution,” or “LTE,” is industry jargon used to describe the particular type of 4G that delivers the fastest mobile internet experience.

Within the U.S., it's reasonable to assume that by the end of 2022 there will not be a single major carrier supporting 2G. The same fate awaits 3G. 4G LTE operates under a different scenario, and we can confidently say that 4G will be around for at least another decade.