What is difference between LTE and LTE-A?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 25, 2026
The most important thing to know is that LTE-A promises to deliver true 4G speeds, unlike current LTE networks. You can expect the real-world speed of LTE-A to be two to three times faster than today's LTE. It should also be robust, with fewer dropped connections as you move around.
What is the difference between LTE & LTE-A?
Data speeds are set to be three times faster than LTE-A (in excess of 3Gbps whereas LTE-A was just 1Gbs). User experience will be significantly improved as a result optimising the capacity, performance and functionality of existing LTE-A networks.
What is meant by LTE-A?
Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) is defined in 3GPP Release 10 and is intended to be the first fully compliant version of the ITU's specification for 4G systems. The targeted peak rate for downlink is 1 Gbps and, for uplink, greater than 500 Mbps.
What Is LTE-A speed?
LTE-A stands for LTE-Advanced and is more reliable and delivers true 4G speeds. LTE-A is 2-3x faster than regular LTE. You can generally expect speeds between 10 - 150Mbps. Please note, however, that speeds are determined by the external environment around your home and where the router is situated in your home.
Which is faster LTE or LTE+?
Depending on the reception, LTE and LTE+ have significantly higher download rates than older standards-up to 150 Mb per second with LTE and up to 300 Mb per second with LTE+. The frequency range used by LTE mobile operators is only the UHF frequency band.
27 related questions foundWhy does my phone say LTE instead of 4G?
4G and LTE are just a syntax difference. Some phones show 4G and others show LTE. Some will even show LTE instead of HSPA+. It's a bit weird, but you shouldn't see a practical difference just because the name of your data speeds changed.
Is LTE and 5G the same?
The main difference between 5G and LTE is that 5G is the technology that came after 4G LTE to increase the speed. 5G has a radio frequency of 30 to 300 GHz, whereas LTE, which is based on 4G technology, has a radio frequency of up to 6 GHz.
Which is better LTE-A or LTE?
The most important thing to know is that LTE-A promises to deliver true 4G speeds, unlike current LTE networks. You can expect the real-world speed of LTE-A to be two to three times faster than today's LTE. It should also be robust, with fewer dropped connections as you move around.
Should my phone be 4G or LTE?
All major smartphones use LTE today. In fact, there is no such thing as true 4G as defined by the standards set forth. 4G was defined as the ideal standard and as no phones actually can reach this standard, so they defined LTE. Even if your phone is advertised as 4G, it uses LTE technology.
Is LTE better than 5G?
With 5G, networks can move vast amounts of data more efficiently than with 4G LTE. That means: Faster speeds to download movies and shows or video chat on the go. More connected devices with a faster signal at large events.
Does using LTE use more data?
Yes it is a type of connection, but because of LTE being a faster connection you can use up data at a faster rate. But it won't use more simply because its faster. It will use the same amount it needs to use.
Is LTE the same as WiFi?
Since LTE is accessed through a mobile device, its range is virtually limitless. Whether you're at home or in transit, you can surf the web at your convenience, as long as your provider covers the area you're in. Meanwhile, WiFi only works within a fixed location, so its range is limited to the router's capability.
Why is LTE so slow?
Many physical factors can result in slow LTE or 5G. These include weather, network congestion, and even solar activity. But chief among these are geography and buildings.
What is LTE LTE-A anytime data?
The LTE/LTE-A Once-off prepaid bundles will be valid for 61 days for Anytime data and 31 days for Night Surfer from the activation date. For example, a customer who purchase 20GB LTE/LTE-A Once Off data bundles which comes with 20GB Anytime data + 20GB Night Surfer data on 1st November.
How do you use LTE data?
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and tap Enable LTE or Settings > Mobile Data and tap Enable LTE. If your carrier supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE), you'll see these options: Off: Turns off LTE. Voice & Data: Allows voice calls and cellular-data use over LTE.
How do I switch from LTE to 4G?
Doing anything is simple, and so is turning 4G LTE on.
...
Turn on 4G LTE on Google phones
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into Network & internet.
- Select your primary SIM in SIMs.
- Tap on Preferred network type.
- Pick 4G (or 5G, which also activates 4G).
What does LTE mean on an iPhone?
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. It's a term used for the particular type of 4G that delivers a fast mobile Internet experience. You'll usually see it called 4G LTE (often found in the corner of your phone screen, where you see the classic service “bars”).
Why does my 5G phone say LTE?
When 5G speeds don't provide a noticeably better experience, your iPhone automatically switches to LTE, saving battery life. 5G On: Always uses 5G network when it's available. This might reduce battery life.
What's the peak rate of LTE-A theoretically?
However, LTE Advanced is capable of peak download data rates of 1 Gbps, with a wide transmission bandwidth, low C-plane latency, backwards compatibility, increased user throughput and spectrum flexibility.
How do I know if I have LTE coverage?
Go to the Pure LTE page.
- Enter the address where you'd use the LTE connection to check the LTE Coverage Map.
- Select the correct address from the drop-down options.
How much faster is 5G than LTE?
In theory, 5G is likely to reach speeds that are 20 times faster than 4G LTE1. 4G LTE has a peak speed of 1GB per second; 5G could theoretically achieve speeds of 20GB per second. These are of course what you might call 'peak speeds', we'll just have to see when 5G is rolled out what the real-world performance is like.
What's better 3G or LTE?
Main Differences Between 3G and LTE
3G can run up to 7.2 Mbps, which is very good at that time. On the other hand, LTE can run up to 100 Mbps, which is less speed than 4G. 3G can be slow at the time of download. On the other hand, LTE is much faster, and we can also tell that LTE is faster than 3G.
What does LTE mean on a watch?
The LTE version can receive calls and messages without being connected to a phone. However, you'll first need to activate service for your watch through the same carrier as your mobile phone.