Does the iPhone 5 work on a 3G network?

What do I need to know about LTE? How do I know if I get it in my area?

LTE is a 4G technology that carriers started pushing out in the United States over the last couple of years. As you might expect, it's faster than 3G, with exact speeds depending on your carrier. The result for you, though, will be faster downloads and uploads, faster streaming, and faster Web browsing.

HSPA+ on AT&T's 3G network. The iPhone 5 has 4G LTE.

HSPA+ on AT&T's 3G network. The iPhone 5 has 4G LTE.

(Credit: CNET/Josh Lowensohn)

To confirm whether you have LTE in your area, you'll have to check with your carrier. The color-coded maps you find online or at the store are a start, but there's no substitute for real-world testing. If you know someone with an LTE phone (it can be any model), ask to borrow it and see how LTE reception is at home, at your workplace, and in between. If LTE is really important to you, you should absolutely test it before buying the iPhone 5. There's also an issue with LTE roaming overseas, but we'll get to that in a specific question below.

The AT&T and Verizon LTE networks are pretty widespread, with coverage touching the major urban and suburban areas. For the moment, though, Sprint is at a disadvantage since its LTE network covers only 19 cities. It's growing, but Sprint will play catch-up for a while.

It's also worth noting that up until now, Apple and the carriers have played fast and loose with the definition of 4G. If you remember, AT&T iPhone 4S owners suddenly saw a 4G icon on their phones when they upgraded to iOS 5.1. That was because AT&T was calling its HSPA+ network 4G even though there was disagreement about whether the technology really qualified.

************I don't get LTE coverage where I live. Will the phone still work?*************

Yes, the phone defaults down to a 3G connection, just like it goes back down to EDGE when there's no 3G available.