What LTE on the iPhone 5 will mean to you _ questions and answers
NEW YORK (AP) — The iPhone 5 is Apple’s first mobile handset that uses new “LTE” wireless networks. What’s LTE —and why should you care? Here are some answers.
Q: What does LTE stand for?
A: It’s “Long-Term Evolution,” but that doesn’t really tell you anything. It’s actually the latest and fastest way to transmit data from cellular towers to phones and other gadgets. It’s one of two so-called “fourth-generation,” or 4G, wireless technologies that have been deployed by various phone companies. (The other one is WiMax, which is available on Sprint phones. But WiMax coverage is low, isn’t being expanded, and even Sprint is betting on LTE for the future).
Q: How fast is LTE? Will it make a difference to me?
A: LTE networks in the U.S. reach speeds up to 20 megabits per second. That’s faster than most people get at home, with their cable or DSL services. It’s also faster than older wireless networks, but the differences aren’t always that big. Sprint and Verizon iPhone users should see a huge jump in speed with the new iPhone because their 3G networks are relatively slow. Downloads will be more than ten times faster where LTE is available. For AT&T users, downloads speeds should double or triple.
