LTE (Long Term Evolution)

Long Term Evolution is the 3GPP-defined 4G mobile standard, launched commercially in 2009 and now the dominant mobile technology globally. LTE introduced an all-IP packet core (the EPC), OFDMA on the downlink, MIMO, peak rates beyond 100 Mbit/s (1 Gbit/s with LTE-Advanced), and lower latency. Its security model, EPS-AKA mutual authentication, EEA/EIA cipher suites, IPsec on backhaul, is the direct ancestor of 5G's, but LTE remains exposed to Diameter interconnect attacks and IMSI catcher variants.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSignaling

LTE in context

The radio access network is where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations and downgrade attacks; defenses rest on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

The mobile core carries subscriber sessions, mobility and policy. In 4G it is the EPC (MME, HSS, S/PGW); in 5G it is the Service-Based Architecture with AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM and the NRF.

To place LTE in the wider telecom-security picture, review 5G SA, AMF, Base Station (BS), Capacity Planning, CAPEX and CSCF — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.