Mobile Technologies

From LTE to 5G-Advanced — overview of mobile network evolution

4G
LTE
2008-2009
4.5G
LTE-Advanced
2010-2014
4.75G
LTE-Advanced Pro
2016-2017
5G
5G
2018-2022
5.5G
5G-Advanced
2024-2026
LTE 4G
Rel-8, Rel-9 (2008-2009)

First 4G standard with all-IP architecture, OFDMA, and EPC.

OFDMA/SC-FDMAEPCMIMO 2x2/4x4VoLTE
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LTE-Advanced 4.5G
Rel-10, Rel-11, Rel-12 (2010-2014)

True 4G with Carrier Aggregation, Enhanced MIMO, and CoMP.

Carrier AggregationMIMO 8x8CoMPDual Connectivity
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LTE-Advanced Pro 4.75G
Rel-13, Rel-14 (2016-2017)

Pre-5G with LAA, NB-IoT, LTE-M, and V2X.

LAA/eLAANB-IoTLTE-MV2X
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5G 5G
Rel-15, Rel-16, Rel-17 (2018-2022)

5th generation with 5G Core, NR radio, mmWave, network slicing, and URLLC.

5GCNRNetwork SlicingURLLC
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5G-Advanced 5.5G
Rel-18, Rel-19, Rel-20 (2024-2026)

5G evolution with AI/ML, XR, Ambient IoT, and NTN.

AI/MLXR SupportAmbient IoTNTN
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About Technology Overview

This overview provides a structured view of mobile technologies defined in 3GPP specifications.

Each technology is described according to mobile network structure: UE (terminal), RAN (radio network), Core Network, Services, and Security.

For detailed technical information, consult the original 3GPP specifications in the Specifications section, or browse the Glossary for term definitions.