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Redirected from: LTE-A

Definition: LTE Advanced


A major upgrade to the LTE cellular communications. Considered to be the "true 4G" technology because of its faster download speeds, LTE Advanced was standardized starting with Release 10 of the 3GPP specification in 2011. LTE Advanced also offers emergency call priority, enhanced service in rural areas and machine-to-machine (M2M) transmission without overloading the network. Implementing LTE Advanced has been less costly for LTE carriers than switching from 3G to LTE.

LTE Advanced Pro (4.5G)
Introduced in 2016 (Release 13) and 2017 (Release 14), LTE-A Pro increased speed into the gigabit range by incorporating four antennas (4x4 MIMO), combining frequency bands (carrier aggregation) and placing more data in the same signal (256QAM modulation). Also called "Gigabit LTE," LTE-A Pro supports transmission in the 5 GHz unlicensed band (see LAA). In addition, a part of the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service is available for LTE-A Pro networks in airports, hospitals and other private complexes (see CBRS). See LTE and LTE for IoT, MIMO and QAM.