Well, Apple finally blew the lid off the joint in San Francisco this morning, revealing the brand new iPhone 5. So, while you're patiently awaiting for September 21 to arrive, now's a great time to take a deeper look at what makes the sixth-generation iPhone really tick. Here's a rundown of the device's wireless functions, including 4G LTE.

The situation with wireless networks is fairly complex. Multiple carriers, with different data plans, utilizing different standards, cover the globe. Thankfully, the iPhone 5 has most of the bases covered, offering compatibility with HSPA+, DC-HSDPA, and the increasingly popular LTE.

The "big three" carriers -- AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint -- have all signed on for 4G LTE coverage. Of course, your connection to LTE networks will vary depending on carrier and location, but the iPhone 5 will revert back to 3G networks, if necessary. Moreover, the new iPhone supports a multitude of bands, making it possible for Verizon and Sprint models to roam, even while overseas.

LTE is the speed-king, so to speak, but the reality doesn't exactly match the hardware. While Apple has stated the iPhone 5 is capable of 100Mbps download speeds, you're not going to find networks on that level, at the moment. Realistically, most users will find speeds anywhere between 5 and 15Mbps. 

Of course, that's not to say data speeds on your carrier won't improve, but by the time we're hitting 100Mbps, the iPhone 5 will probably look like old hardware. Either way, AT&T claims its LTE network is "ten times" faster than 3G -- for what that's worth.

Honestly, any speed looks good to a T-Mobile customer right now. According to PhoneScoop, the carrier's HSPA+ AWS band is left in the dark by the iPhone 5. Ouch.

But what about if you're hooked up to a wireless connection? The iPhone 5 offers a nice hardware improvement in regards to Wi-Fi access. A new dynamic antenna supports the 802.11n standard, offering connectivity on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Apple has promised Wi-Fi download speeds of up to 150Mbps.

But heed the same warning: the hardware may have the capability, but the speeds still depends on the ISP. The United States lags behind much of the world in broadband speeds, and according to a recent report by the FCC, it's clear to see your chances of attaining 150Mbps are slim-to-none.

Another important factor to note in regards to the faster wireless hardware found in the iPhone 5: battery consumption. LTE devices are notorious energy drains, but here's hoping the increased battery capacity of the iPhone sidesteps a need for a portable power plant.

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