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spurbs

macrumors member
Original poster
May 28, 2010
76
13
My iPad 3 always said "4G" on top, but today it says "LTE". Is that something new I missed? I'm running the most current iOS 5.
 
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You have to be in an area where LTE is available to see LTE displayed. Your wireless provider might have just added LTE or might be testing it in your area or you just happen to be in an area where it is available for the first time.

I just saw the LTE symbol for the first time last week when I went to another city about 200 miles away for a business trip.
 
My iPad 3 always said "4G" on top, but today it says "LTE". Is that something new I missed? I'm running the most current iOS 5.

"4G" is not LTE. It's likely the same thing that used to be called 3G, just relabeled now. Or it could be a slightly faster tech than 3G. But LTE is different, and much faster. Whenever you have that indicator on, it's good news that you're in an area which offers truly high speed data.
 
I think what happened is that AT&T just activated LTE (or their version of it) in my city (Buffalo,NY) and that's why it changed. Now bring on the iPhone 5!
 
I think what happened is that AT&T just activated LTE (or their version of it) in my city (Buffalo,NY) and that's why it changed. Now bring on the iPhone 5!

Lucky you !
Not in my area in northern DE yet. After experiencing LTE on my trip to DC, I hated to give it up when going back home.
 
Where in Buffalo are you? I am in East Aurora and wondering if it is down here yet?
 
The farthest south I believe it is going is Milestrip Rd in Orchard Park and the most northern is North Tonawanda. Don't think East Aurora is covered.
 
Thanks for the update. I am going to try and stop by the corporate store in Orchard Park tomorrow and see what they say.
 
I visited the corporate AT&T store in orchard park. Here is what they said about LTE in Buffalo: right now it is a secret/silent launch, they will officially announce the AT&T LTE launch in September, it will go from about North Tonawanda to Orchard Park. Places like East Aurora won't see AT&T LTE until 2013. This was from a sales associate who was listening to me ask another sales associate about AT&T LTE. I am just a messenger.
 
Seems to me that AT&T is only hurting themselves by having secret launches. They should be busting their butt to catch up to Verizon. I can think of many major metropolitan areas that still lack LTE. CATCH UP!
 
The AT&T website now officially shows LTE on their coverage maps for Buffalo. Strange they did not put out an Official announcement
 
I was in Indianapolis today at the Apple Store at Keystone at the Crossing and had 4G displayed on my iPhone when I went to pay for an item. I then went about 3 miles away to another store and when I used my iPhone there to scan a barcode it displayed LTE. It was the first time I ever saw that displayed on my phone.

The speed that the phone worked at was about the same as at the Apple Store.
 
Seems to me that AT&T is only hurting themselves by having secret launches. They should be busting their butt to catch up to Verizon. I can think of many major metropolitan areas that still lack LTE. CATCH UP!

Verizon does secret launches too. After they turned on LTE here it was over a month before they officially announced it.
 
Any comments on AT&T's LTE in Buffalo? Is anyone able to compare it to Verizon's LTE?
 
I was in Indianapolis today at the Apple Store at Keystone at the Crossing and had 4G displayed on my iPhone when I went to pay for an item. I then went about 3 miles away to another store and when I used my iPhone there to scan a barcode it displayed LTE. It was the first time I ever saw that displayed on my phone.

The speed that the phone worked at was about the same as at the Apple Store.

Umm, yeah iPhones aren't capable of LTE.
 
I was in Indianapolis today at the Apple Store at Keystone at the Crossing and had 4G displayed on my iPhone when I went to pay for an item. I then went about 3 miles away to another store and when I used my iPhone there to scan a barcode it displayed LTE. It was the first time I ever saw that displayed on my phone.

The speed that the phone worked at was about the same as at the Apple Store.

Umm, yeah iPhones aren't capable of LTE.

Eggs-actly.
 
I can't believe that AT&T are allowed to display 3G+ (HSPA+) as 4G and I also don't think that the term LTE should be used. Instead LTE should be "4G" and 3G should be...well...3G.
 
I can't believe that AT&T are allowed to display 3G+ (HSPA+) as 4G and I also don't think that the term LTE should be used. Instead LTE should be "4G" and 3G should be...well...3G.

3.5G rounding off = 4G lol

As to why it is called 4G-LTE? That is because 4G-LTE does not fully comply with the IMT-Advanced requirements (which is what a True 4G is). 4G-LTE is technically only 3.9G.
 
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