"Long-term evolution" redirects here. For the biological concept, see Evolution and E. coli long-term evolution experiment.

​

In telecommunication, 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 technologies. It increases the capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements.

 

The standard is developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and is specified in its Release 8 document series, with minor enhancements described in Release 9. LTE is the upgrade path for carriers with both GSM/UMTS networks and CDMA2000 networks. The different LTE frequencies and bands used in different countries mean that only multi-band phones are able to use LTE in all countries where it is supported. 

​

LTE is commonly marketed as "4G LTE and Advance 4G",but it does not meet the technical criteria of a 4G wireless service, as specified in the 3GPP Release 8 and 9 document series for LTE Advanced.

​

The LTE Advanced standard formally satisfies the ITU-R requirements to be considered IMT-Advanced.To differentiate LTE Advanced and WiMAX-Advanced from current 4G technologies, ITU has defined them as "True 4G".