LTE is popularly called a 4G technology. It is an all-IP technology based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), which is more spectrally efficient — meaning it can deliver more bits per Hertz. LTE will be the technology of choice for most existing Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3GPP2mobile operators. It will provide economy of scale and spectrum reuse. LTE also offers smooth integration and handover to and from existing 3GPP and 3GPP2 networks, supporting full mobility and global roaming, and ensuring that operators can deploy LTE in a gradual manner by leveraging their existing legacy networks for service continuity. LTE also brings subscribers a “true” mobile broadband (~5–10 Mb/s/~15 ms latency) that enables a quality video experience and media mobility. The LTE standard has been defined with as much flexibility as possible so that operators can deploy it in all current existing frequencies as well as new spectrum. Operators can deploy the technology in as little as 1.4 MHz or as much as 20MHz of spectrum and grow the network as demand for data services grows . LTE will also appear in a number of different spectrum bands around the world, including the new 2.6 GHz band, which is perfect as a capacity band since operators are able to secure up to 2 ×20 MHz of virgin spectrum. LTE can also be deployed in reformed GSM bands in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz and digital dividend spectrum (e.g., 700 MHz in the United States), providing superior coverage and global roaming in the rest of the 3GPP market.
With improvements in capacity, speed, and latency, LTE will not only make accessing applications faster, but will enable a wealth of new applications previously available only on a wired Internet connection. The wall between wired and wireless will come down. And moving from one environment to another with your content moving seamlessly will become second nature:
•Continuing to watch the latest TV series recorded on your DVR, automatically transferred to the 4G network as you walk out the door
•Uploading content onto your social networking profile to let your friends know what you are up to
•The PowerPoint file you just saved on your laptop instantaneously becoming available on your Smartphone
•Or even your LTE-enabled digital camera uploading your latest picture onto your home server or social networking site for your family to see.
Optical Communications & Network Automation Expert | Author of 3 Books for Optical Engineers | Founder, MapYourTech
Optical networking engineer with nearly two decades of experience across DWDM, OTN, coherent optics, submarine systems, and cloud infrastructure. Founder of MapYourTech. Read full bio →
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