Hi there! As you probably know, 3G and 4G LTE represent two generations of mobile networks that have radically shaped the way we access the internet. In this guide, we’ll explore the evolution of 3G to 4G LTE and examine how the specs, speeds, and overall user experience compare between these two dominant wireless technologies.
How Did We Get Here? A Brief History of 3G and 4G LTE
First, let’s quickly recap the origins of 3G and LTE.
3G emerged in the late 90s, when mobile networks started shifting from purely analog voice to supporting mobile internet access. 3G networks were built to deliver not just phone calls but always-on data connectivity.
The first commercial 3G networks launched in Japan in 2001. In the US, Verizon deployed the first large-scale 3G network (based on CDMA) in 2003. AT&T and T-Mobile followed using the GSM standard for 3G.
LTE, which stands for Long Term Evolution, started development around 2004. It was initially marketed as 4G but didn’t fully meet the technical standards to qualify as such. The first LTE networks launched commercially in Europe in late 2009. Verizon lit up LTE in the US in 2010.
So in the timeline of wireless generations, 3G came first, but LTE quickly surpassed it. Now, let’s look at why LTE represented such a huge leap forward.
Speeds: LTE Smokes 3G
One of the starkest differences between 3G and LTE comes down to raw speed. 3G networks can reach peak download speeds around 2Mbps and uploads around 1 Mbps. Real-world average speeds hover between .4-1.5 Mbps down on 3G networks—not fast by today’s standards.
LTE blows those speeds away. Early LTE networks already delivered average download speeds of 6-17 Mbps, 3 to 4 times faster than 3G! Peak LTE download speeds clock in around 100 Mbps initially and now exceed 300 Mbps on today‘s advanced LTE networks.
Let‘s compare some real-world speed tests:
-
Downloading a 5MB music track:
- 3G: 40 seconds
- LTE: 2 seconds
-
Loading a news article with photos:
- 3G: 8-10 seconds
- LTE: Sub-second
-
Streaming HD video:
- 3G: Constant buffering
- LTE: Smooth streaming
It‘s no contest—LTE delivers vastly faster internet speeds compared to poky old 3G.
Lower Latency Makes LTE Feel More Responsive
Another important metric is latency, or the time it takes for data to make a round trip on the network. 3G latency could range between 100-500ms, which you experience as moderate lag and delays.
LTE latency is must lower, clocking in at roughly 30-50ms. That shaves precious milliseconds off the time to load pages or send messages. LTE simply feels more nimble compared to laggy 3G networks.
More Spectrum and Capacity
How did LTE networks jump so far ahead in speed? Two major reasons: more spectrum and higher data capacity per cell site.
3G utilized relatively narrow bands of spectrum under 2.5GHz. LTE tapped into much wider swaths of spectrum, including the AWS 1700/2100MHz bands ideal for LTE. Carriers also repurposed their older 3G airwaves for 4G.
Thanks to advanced antenna technologies like MIMO, LTE can transmit far more data over a given slice of spectrum compared to 3G. Overall, LTE base stations support roughly 10x higher capacity compared to 3G technology.
More spectrum + higher efficiency = breakneck LTE speeds.
Coverage and Availability
While LTE networks now blanket cities and suburbs across the globe, 3G coverage is fading fast. By 2022, over 60% of mobile connections in the US were already on LTE networks compared to just 4% still on 3G, according to GSMA Intelligence.
Most major carriers in the US have already shut down their aging 3G CDMA networks to reclaim spectrum for 4G/5G. AT&T plans to discontinue 3G in February 2022.
Globally, LTE accounts for around 40% of mobile connections—and growing rapidly—while 3G usage is declining sharply. For mobile users, this means LTE coverage is widespread while 3G roaming areas are shrinking every day.
Real-World Performance: How LTE Improves the Mobile Experience
Let’s now compare how 3G and LTE networks hold up for common mobile activities:
Web Browsing
Basic websites load reasonably fast on 3G, though speeds are still quite limited. On LTE, sites load at broadband speeds—instantaneously in most cases. LTE enables much richer, more interactive mobile webpages.
Video Streaming
All but the fastest 3G networks struggle with high-quality video streaming, which requires 2-3 Mbps sustained speeds. LTE makes smooth HD streaming possible, although data caps can still be an issue.
Social Media
These apps work pretty well on 3G since they‘re mostly text, but LTE really speeds up loading of images and video in social feeds.
File Downloads
Downloading files like apps, songs, or documents is an exercise in patience on 3G. LTE enables 5-10x faster downloads, making large file downloads far more practical.
Multi-tasking
With added capacity, LTE makes juggling multiple apps and browser tabs much smoother compared to boggy 3G networks.
Gaming & Video Calls
LTE‘s low latency shines for real-time gaming and video chat. 3G performance is much spottier for these interactive apps.
Across the board, LTE delivers a monumental upgrade over 3G for today‘s data-hungry mobile users. 3G feels quite limited and sluggish by comparison.
What‘s Next? 4G LTE Meets 5G
As carriers continue building out lightning-fast 5G networks, 4G LTE remains the workhorse of mobile broadband. In fact, 5G is being deployed alongside LTE in most cases rather than replacing it.
Advanced LTE technologies like LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro deliver near gigabit speeds through techniques like carrier aggregation. LTE networks have vastly improved over early 4G.
5G standalone networks will eventually leave LTE behind, but LTE isn‘t going away anytime soon. LTE connections will continue to play an important role through the 2020s and beyond.
The transition to LTE was a crucial step on the path to 5G, cementing IP-based networking and setting the stage for next-gen broadband.
The Bottom Line
In summary, LTE represented an enormous leap forward from 3G that permanently changed the mobile internet landscape. With far faster speeds, lower latency, greater capacity, and broader coverage, LTE outperforms 3G across the board as a mobile broadband technology.
For consumers, LTE brought lightning-fast access to websites, apps, streaming, and downloads—a night and day difference from antiquated 3G. As the world phases out 3G in favor of 4G and 5G, we owe a lot to LTE networks for kickstarting the mobile broadband revolution.