What is 4G LTE technology?
The Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the new fourth-generation technology for data transmission over mobile networks. This technology offers great throughput and low latency time that favor so transferring large volumes of data and high interactivity, for a significant improvement in the user experience.
LTE has certainly enriched the way we live, work and have fun while improving the enjoyment of various mobile services such as surfing on various Internet sites, watching videos online, video conferencing, games online, remote health care and so on.
Advantages of LTE technology
As we said the 4G LTE delivers performance and service levels that radically improves the experience of Internet browsing and enjoyment without media disruptions and ensure quicker access to resources that are stored in the Cloud. LTE offers performance far superior to the technologies developed earlier. For example with LTE download speeds is more than double compared to 42.2 Mbps HSPA technology, and the upload speed is about 10 times faster than previous technology.
Here are some of the things you have using the 4G (see 4G meanings):
- Internet browsing: pages load very quickly without interruptions
- Streaming Video: you can watch high definition videos without interruptions or waiting times
- Download & Upload: download and upload large video files and requires low wait times
- Online game: 4G LTE technology is ideal for online bettors and for players that they are playing multi-player games
Over time the technology evolved, we moved from GPRS which has a download speed up to 85.6 Kbps at 4GLTE up to 150Mbps. The highest speed currently available is offered by the new 4GPLUS technology that can reach speeds of downloading 225Mbps.
- 4GPLUS: up to 225 Mbps
- 4GLTE: up to 150 Mbps
- HSDPA: up to 42.2 Mbps
- UMTS: up to 384 Kbps
- Edge: up to 236.8 Kbps
- GPRS: up to 85.6 Kbps
The above are theoretical speeds. The actual speed is variable and depends on several factors, including: the type of network available in place of access, the coverage level, traffic on the network, the load on the servers where the web page visited, the device with which you are browsing, the operating system (iOS, Android, etc) and the browser used the communication protocol and the type of the requested page.
How to check coverage of cities reached by 4GLTE technology?
Each mobile operator has a different coverage of Italian cities with fourth-generation mobile networks. Here’s how to control Italian operators’ LTE coverage:
Tim
Tim 4G mobile network covers approximately 3,500 municipalities reaching 80% of the Italian population.
Vodafone
The 4G network to Vodafone is quite extensive and covers approximately 3,500 municipalities reaching 80% of the Italian population.
Three Italy
4G-LTE coverage to Three was almost doubled compared to the previous year, reaching more than 42% of Italians.
Wind
4G coverage by Wind is less extensive than that of Vodafone and Tim, and currently is about 300 municipalities reaching 35% of the population.
What do I need to surf at the speed of 4G LTE?
In order to navigate using LTE technology you must have:
- an enabled product that can be a stick, smartphone, tablet or a modem)
- a SIM card 3 g services enabled. In case the SIM’s older generation needs to be replaced. In any case it is not necessary to change phone number.
- bid 4G LTE enabled on your Sim card
How to know if you are browsing on the net 4G LTE?
To find out if it is hooked to the LTE network just look at the top of the screen of the device. When connecting 4G LTE smartphone appears on the display (on the connection manager instead for the key) icon “4G” or “LTE”.
4G coverage failure, the device will automatically register on the best 3G network available in the area. Be warned though that the device must have been previously configured to be able to independently manage the transition on alternative networks to 4G.
4G PLUS mobile network
In order to navigate with the 4G PLUS you must be in an area covered by this type of technology, have a compatible device (such as the HTC desire and the Samsung ALPHA 4) and have an offer 4G PLUS enabled on your SIM card.