You’ve seen the commercials and are still asking – What is LTE? When it comes to looking for cell phone service, having to compare plans, coverage and optional services can be really confusing. Now that the fourth generation of wireless internet has launched (referred to as 4G), the cellular providers have added in more of those confusing acronyms and initialisms, such as WiMAX, HSDPA, and LTE. This article will aim to break down and define one of the more talked about technologies: Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE.
LTE is a wireless internet technology used for Verizon Wireless’ cellular network. It works much like a wireless internet connection in a home or at a coffee shop/airport, with comparable (if not faster) speeds, and able to be broadcast over entire cities. LTE stands for Long Term Evolution, so called because of its ability to be scaled up as demand increases for more speed, coverage, and data transfer amount.
What is LTE – Video
Connecting to LTE is much like logging on to an airport’s paid wifi connection on a laptop. First, the laptop must be able to connect to wireless networks by having a wireless card. This is the same for LTE, only phones with an what is LTE (or 4G) chip can connect to it, so make sure to look for that when purchasing a new phone. Next, the laptop must be within range of the wireless signal, so sitting in the airport will make things much easier, as opposed to being a block away. The same reasoning applies to what is LTE, so make sure to check Verizon’s maps for coverage. Last, the user must have a subscription to the wireless connection.
What is LTE From Verizon
Verizon requires (at the time writing this article) an internet package that is in addition to the normal voice plans. At the time of writing this article, $30 extra per month allows up to 2GB of data to be transferred in or out of the phone per month. $50 will allow up to 5GB, and $80 will allow up to 10GB. For comparison, 2GB would allow up to 10,000 one-page e-mails (no attachments like pictures or movie clips, that number reduces to 1,500 if each has a small document attached), 4,000 basic web pages, 480 pictures or songs downloaded, or 200 minutes of standard-quality streaming video to be watched, such as Youtube or Netflix Instant movies.
While all of this sounds complicated and expensive, it’s no more so than when wireless internet for laptops was first coming out. All that has to be done is to make sure to have the right equipment (a 4G capable device), be within the coverage area, and subscribe to the correct internet plan. After that, it’s off to streaming music and watching videos anywhere.
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