The fourth-generation (4G)of wireless communication standard that allows cellular towers to transmit data to phones and other mobile devices at very high speeds. As an evolution to the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA standards, LTE increases capacity of wireless data network and speed by using a combination of different radio interface and core network improvements, such as redesign and simplification of the network architecture to an IP-based system with significantly reduced transfer latency compared to the 2G and 3G architecture. LTE networks are capable of reaching speeds of data transmission to 20 megabits per second, faster than most home networks with cable or DSL services.

The LTE wireless interface is incompatible with 2G and 3G networks, so that it must be operated on a separate wireless spectrum. This means existing devices will not be able to support LTE networks. Current LTE networks carry only data, not voice calls.