The Wall Street Journal is reporting the next iPhone, expected at Apple's media event this Wednesday, will include LTE wireless data support, although only in certain markets. Rumors have been claiming the next generation iPhone will support LTE, and the WSJ's anonymous sources help add validity to those reports, but don't count as an official confirmation.
There isn't word on which carriers the iPhone's LTE features will support. Qualcomm senior vice president Bill Davidson said the patchwork nature of the LTE spectrum is a limiting factor.
"It will be impractical to have all of the bands" in LTE chips, he said.
Apple first introduced LTE support for iOS devices on the third generation iPad. That model supports LTE on the AT&T and Verizon networks in the United States, as well as Bell Canada, Telus and Rogers in Canada, which means it's likely that the new iPhone will support LTE on those networks, too.
Despite the likelihood that the next iPhone will include LTE support, however, reports that it will are still only rumors until this Wednesday.
The Mac Observer will be on location for Apple's September 12 media event, set to start at 10AM pacific time. Be sure to check in for our live event coverage.