LTE

Today's 3G/UMTS networks were only launched in 2003, but plans are already well underway for replacement 4G mobile broadband technologies. LTE is part of the GSM evolutionary path beyond 3G technology, following EDGE, UMTS, HSPA (HSDPA and HSUPA combined) and HSPA Evolution (HSPA+). Although HSPA and its evolution are strongly positioned to be the dominant mobile data technology for the next decade, the GSM family of standards must evolve toward the future. The overall objective for LTE is to provide an extremely high performance radio-access technology that offers full vehicular speed mobility.

This super-fast network, which is promising theoretical peak download rates of up 100Mbps (real-world speeds will vary, of course), provides an alternative to DSL, cable, satellite, and dial-up internet, which will be a big boon to people living in areas that aren't currently serviced by a high-speed network. It will also free people from the burden of having to find a WiFi hotspot when they are on the road - as long as you have an LTE modem, you can connect to the internet anywhere in the service provider's coverage area.