In the technological world of mobile phones, 4G is the terminology used for the fourth advanced group of wireless network platforms for mobile devices and especially smart phones. While there is no consensus on the standards of 4G generation, the promises are high to provide, faster, dependable and a very secure wireless networking. There is no doubt that 4G networks will outperform 3G networks, but by what margin? And should we pay a higher price to get the 4G service?
Comparing Speeds
It is true that some of the 4G networks actually do have the capability of transmitting as fast as 100Mbps, the service providers are not too keen on claiming those huge numbers. This is sometime sowing to the limitation of basic technology, while sometimes low transmission speed is offered by the service provider to make sure that the network is reliable and minimum service standards are met all the time. Wireless service provider actually learnt a lesson the hard way when AT&T launched its smart phone in large numbers, especially the iPhones, over burdening its network which did not have the infrastructure to cater to the huge demand for data transmission services.
The test-runs by Verizon have affirmed that peak speeds between 40-50 Mbps are achievable for download while the uploading speed also reaches between 20-25 Mbps without any restraint. However, the company can only cater to download rates of date range only between 5-12Mbps while giving 2-5 Mbps uploading speed which makes the whole output a bit average. This is not so bad considering that most customers extract this much speed averagely from the DSL connections (wired). In any case 4G networks work faster 10 times than 3G service with average speed range of 600kbps to 1.4bps.
Data coverage by 4G
Now this is where the catch lies: you can actually receive 4G speeds but a 4G network is dependent on the coverage of your service provider in the locality. Although the market has been presented with 4G wireless routers for quite some time now but EVO 4G has topped the list of 4G phones when released by Sprint on June 4, 2010 in US mobile arena. The phone is now available easily, but its users cannot be promised to avail 4G speeds.
When this article was in process, Sprint covered the following areas: Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.
The question arises as to how soon 4G technologies will be able to join the mainstream and be available and ‘accessible’ widely. It is difficult to opine on that with surety. It all depends on the willingness of the carriers to invest in upcoming technology that can give support to the service. It also depends on the mindset of the users and their decision of migration to devices enabled by 4G. we must also consider the point that not every user will want to (or need to) have faster connections on their mobiles and for this reason 2G and 3G device owners should not fret over having an obsolete cell phone in hand, anywhere in the near future. That being said, Sprint is all out with its 4G service-expansion in 44 cities till 2010. Speed is the need especially for users who are constantly downloading heavy files like videos to watch them on-the-go on their smartphones. This will undoubtedly lead to increased demand and quicker migration to 4G technologies. The hurdles that should be overcome are the limited number of 4G devices available in the market and of course the network coverage limitations.
Bottom line: Keep your 3G mobile phone for fast speeds. When the faster (4G) will be widely available you can hop on to the joy ride.
Comparing Speeds
It is true that some of the 4G networks actually do have the capability of transmitting as fast as 100Mbps, the service providers are not too keen on claiming those huge numbers. This is sometime sowing to the limitation of basic technology, while sometimes low transmission speed is offered by the service provider to make sure that the network is reliable and minimum service standards are met all the time. Wireless service provider actually learnt a lesson the hard way when AT&T launched its smart phone in large numbers, especially the iPhones, over burdening its network which did not have the infrastructure to cater to the huge demand for data transmission services.
The test-runs by Verizon have affirmed that peak speeds between 40-50 Mbps are achievable for download while the uploading speed also reaches between 20-25 Mbps without any restraint. However, the company can only cater to download rates of date range only between 5-12Mbps while giving 2-5 Mbps uploading speed which makes the whole output a bit average. This is not so bad considering that most customers extract this much speed averagely from the DSL connections (wired). In any case 4G networks work faster 10 times than 3G service with average speed range of 600kbps to 1.4bps.
Data coverage by 4G
Now this is where the catch lies: you can actually receive 4G speeds but a 4G network is dependent on the coverage of your service provider in the locality. Although the market has been presented with 4G wireless routers for quite some time now but EVO 4G has topped the list of 4G phones when released by Sprint on June 4, 2010 in US mobile arena. The phone is now available easily, but its users cannot be promised to avail 4G speeds.
When this article was in process, Sprint covered the following areas: Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.
The question arises as to how soon 4G technologies will be able to join the mainstream and be available and ‘accessible’ widely. It is difficult to opine on that with surety. It all depends on the willingness of the carriers to invest in upcoming technology that can give support to the service. It also depends on the mindset of the users and their decision of migration to devices enabled by 4G. we must also consider the point that not every user will want to (or need to) have faster connections on their mobiles and for this reason 2G and 3G device owners should not fret over having an obsolete cell phone in hand, anywhere in the near future. That being said, Sprint is all out with its 4G service-expansion in 44 cities till 2010. Speed is the need especially for users who are constantly downloading heavy files like videos to watch them on-the-go on their smartphones. This will undoubtedly lead to increased demand and quicker migration to 4G technologies. The hurdles that should be overcome are the limited number of 4G devices available in the market and of course the network coverage limitations.
Bottom line: Keep your 3G mobile phone for fast speeds. When the faster (4G) will be widely available you can hop on to the joy ride.
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