LTE is the standard for mobile communications developed by the 3GPP standards development organization to meet the requirements of the Next Generation of Mobile Network (NGMN) operators. The standard,
Rel-8 of the 3GPP standards and referred to as E-UTRAN (Enhanced Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
Network), introduces many changes in both the radio interface and the system architecture. The purpose of
the changes is primarily targeted at increasing user data rates and reducing packet latency, providing a user
experience more similar to wireline broadband services. In addition, LTE addresses issues relevant to the
efficient and cost-effective operation of an advanced high-speed radio network: spectrum efficiency, lower
cost-per-bit, seamless mobility, reliability, see diagram on the next page. In addition, co-existence and
compatibility with current and legacy technologies are required, allowing for the gradual roll-out of network coverage without disrupting existing, revenue-earning services.