CNET Asia's LTE FAQ

by Aloysius Low

With all the talk about the Apple iPhone 5's support for Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, we understand that there's at least a portion of our readers who are confused about "4G", so here are some answers to your questions. If you do have further queries, feel free to leave us a comment below and we'll try to answer them.

What is LTE?

Long Term Evolution, or LTE, is new standard for increasing the capacity and speed of current networks. It uses a different radio, though it's based on the current GSM/HSPA network. 4G, or fourth generation, is the term used to distinguish LTE from current 3G networks.

How fast is LTE?

LTE is capable of speeds up to 299.6Mbps for download and 75.4Mbps for upload. However, it depends on how it's implemented and whether the bandwidth is available. In Singapore, where there's nationwide LTE coverage from telco M1, speeds are currently capped at 75Mbps for download, though plans are underway to double this to 150Mbps when the telco is able to use more of the frequency that's currently in use for 2G.

Why are LTE frequencies so different from country to country? While LTE is rolling out worldwide, countries may not be on the same frequencies. This is due to the availability of the radio spectrum, which is regulated by governments and licensed to the telcos. As some of these frequencies are used by other services (such as free-to-air TV), telcos sometimes have to reclaim what's available for use with LTE, which means there's no global shared frequency for now.

What are the common LTE frequencies?

In Asia, 1,800MHz and 2,600MHz will be the frequencies used for LTE in countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. In Japan and the US, you'll find that it's either 700MHz or 2,100MHz. In Europe, it's either 1,800MHz or 2,600MHz. Do note that some countries also use odd frequencies such as 800MHz and 850MHz.

So what about a global LTE smartphone?

Until the day when it's possible to cater for all the different LTE frequencies in a compact antenna, you'll have to make do with frequency-specific handsets. However, while you won't be able to access the faster 4G speeds, you'll still be able to use 3G networks while roaming.

We aren't sure when a global LTE handset will be available (or whether it's actually worth the effort), but as carriers start shifting towards 4G, additional frequency could be freed up such that a common band can be used, but we wouldn't hold our breath for that to happen anytime soon.

Why is it so expensive? As early adopters, you'll likely have to pay more (as an additional surcharge) compared with current 3G plans. If there are data caps, you may even end up paying even more if you aren't paying attention to how much data you are downloading.

What phones are available in Singapore?

Apart from the iPhone 5 that was announced yesterday, in Singapore, there are four other handsets that run on LTE. They are the HTC One XL, Samsung Galaxy S II LTE, LG Optimus True HD LTE and the Galaxy Note LTE. Smartphone makers have also announced in recent weeks LTE handsets such as the LG Optimus G and the Galaxy S3 LTE.