Long term evolution (LTE) is a project name that is given to the next generation of mobile phone speed otherwise known as 4G. Specifically, LTE is the last step that mobile phone companies have made to increase the speed and efficiency of their mobile phone devices. While LTE has been marketed as 4G, it doesn't quite comply with all the rules of IMT Advanced 4G requirements. Regardless, many companies across the world have announced that they are going to be pushing for 4G over the coming years starting in 2009. The move from 3G to 4G will result in an increase in speed and capability for cellular devices.

Specifications that make LTE so appealing to both the consumer as well as the business are as followed:Long Term Evolution

  • 100 Mbps download peaks
  • 50 Mbps upload peaks
  • Scalable carrier bandwidth from 20 MHz to 1.4 MHz.
  • Passing from new cell phone towers to old towers that support old technology.

Unlike previous generations, LTE is based on a internet protocol (IP). This means that each individual phone has its own IP address. While this is still new, there are key components in ALL-IP Network (AIPN) that make it state of the art. While phone companies were researching taking 3G to AIPN, it's not until version 4 that they have been able to begin the implementation of it.

For the most part, a 4G experience is simply 3G with even more tacked onto it. The ultimate goal that mobile phone companies are looking to achieve is simplifying the architecture so that it is cheaper on their end. The biggest change that they are making is from the UMTS circuit system currently in place to the flat IP address that they are intending for the LTE.

Most mobile companies have already signed on to using LTE. The first to begin adopting it was TeliaSonera in Stockholm and Oslo. However, most of the American based mobile companies have all begun their transition from 3G to 4G. The two large competitors — Verizon Wireless and AT&T — both intend on releasing LTE on their networks over the coming years.