Apple is expected to announce the next iPhone in a few days, and as the day draws ever near rumors of what the next iPhone feature grow more numerous.

The latest news comes via The Wall Street Journal. Their sources indicate that the next generation iPhone will be 4G LTE capable, and will work on the fastest networks around the world including Europe and Asia.

According to the report:

“Apple Inc.’ next iPhone will work on the fastest wireless networks around the world—including in the U.S., Europe and Asia—though it is unlikely to be available on every carrier, people familiar with the matter said. The technical compatibility with so-called LTE networks removes a competitive danger for Apple and gives carriers a chance to sell their fastest data services to Apple’s base of iPhone customers.”

“International Data Corp. analyst John Byrne estimates there are 36 LTE bands around the world, compared with 22 bands for the most popular version of 3G technology. While building a phone that supports multiple bands of LTE is possible, it presents a significant technical challenge to design chips needed to support all of the different bands.”

WSJ also explains LTE technology, that it is more fragmented than 3G wireless technology and the difficulty in making smartphones work seamlessly across the world.

No doubt many anxiously awaiting the next iPhone are hoping Apple has managed to iron out the issues 4G LTE brings with it, launching the iPhone 5 with true, global, 4G LTE support.

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