You might also ask, “why is LTE in the corner of my phone??”. If you see it there, it means your phone has switched to a 4G LTE network rather than 4G or 5G. An LTE connection may have slower download speeds, unless it’s an LTE-A connection.
Confused? Let’s unpack what it all means.
4G. Just to cover the basics, 4G is the 4th generation of internet technology, which evolved from 3G.
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. LTE technology drove the upgrade from 3G to 4G, giving us faster upload and download speeds. LTE therefore “uses” the 4G service, so if you’re on 4G you may find your phone switching to LTE depending on your location.
LTE-A stands for Long Term Evolution – Advanced. LTE-A (which you’ll also see written as LTE-Advanced, 4G+ and LTE+) is a faster version of LTE, bringing it on par with today’s 4G speeds.
💡 Fun fact: “4G” and “LTE” are sometimes used interchangeably or strung together as “4G LTE”.
It used to matter if your phone was LTE-ready, but these days it’s only an issue if you still rely on the 3G network (in which case, you’ve got bigger problems with 3G now being out of service). All phones today can handle LTE, 4G and typically even 5G.
How fast is 4G, LTE, LTE-A and 5G?
Download and upload speeds depend on a number of factors like your location, network availability and your phone plan provider. But in theory, if you’re connected to a 4G or 5G network you’ll be able to watch YouTube, play a game online and scroll social media without a problem.
| 4G and LTE: Can reach speeds up to 100Mbps but most users won’t connect at that rate unless all the conditions are perfect. 4G LTE-A: Can reach speeds up to 300Mbps, but is generally closer to 100-150Mbps. 5G: Can reach speeds of around 300-500Mbps, which can support ultra-HD streaming and instant downloads. |
So, why does LTE matter?
Truth is, it doesn’t anymore. The first time we published this article in 2012, it mattered because 4G and 4G LTE speeds were 10x faster than 3G. Our advice was: buy a 4G-enabled phone!
Today, we say the same thing about 5G-enabled phones. Soon, we’ll be saying it about the 6G network, which is expected to rollout in Australia from 2028.
Since 3G has been sunsetted, any phone you get today is going to connect to 4G LTE and give you fast internet speeds for everyday use. New phones will also connect to 5G.
The bottom line is: if your phone switches to LTE, don’t panic. It’s just as normal as your 5G phone switching to 4G when it’s the strongest network available.
Introduction to LTE-B
LTE-B stands for LTE Broadcast and is also known as LTE multicast. As the name implies, LTE Broadcast enables operators and content providers to simultaneously send the same content via only a single stream to many mobile users in an area at once, resulting in a more efficient use of network resources.
The LTE-B technology aims to reduce the network load while transmitting bandwidth-intensive real-time video content. Additionally, it can also help with distributing software updates and preloading video content for later viewing.
LTE Devices Available in Australia
The following devices are 4G LTE compatible:
- LTE / 4G Smart Mobile Phones
Basically all mobile phones, since 4G has been around for well over a decade and most non-compatible phones have been phased out. - Wireless Broadband devices
USB and pocket Wi-Fi devices, which can be connected to your computer to provide untethered internet access. - Wireless tablet devices like the iPad.
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