2G, 3G, 4G – oh, so many G's!
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard wireless carriers tout their new 4G networks and phones. But, what is 4G all about?
Simply put, 4G service means it's the fourth-generation in cellular service – the next step on the wireless scale.
That jump to the next level brings faster data delivery, more reliability and better security to your wireless device.
Let's face it, smartphones are centered around data – that's where the "smart" comes in. From recording and uploading HD videos to YouTube to streaming music from services like Pandora, we're gobbling up data faster than ever.
Currently, most of us use a form of 3G service to get our data fix. But the 3G pipes are only so big. Jamming exponentially more data through will just bog down the system.
"What we're finding is people are needing and desiring more bandwidth so they can download those videos quicker, they can upload video quicker," says Harry Martin, Director of Advanced Technologies for Verizon Wireless.
But 4G brings with it the virtual equivalent of a bigger pipe meaning more data can travel faster than before.
"It's not that we're trying to find a market for [4G service], the market's actually demanding it and our challenge is to keep up with that demand," Martin said.
Now just like 3G service has two types – GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon and Sprint) – 4G has the same. Get ready for some acronyms!
WiMAX was first to debut in the market earlier this year through carriers Clear and Sprint. It offers speeds up to 10 megabits per second on wireless broadband cards for computers and over two smartphones.
Another type called HSPA+ is used by T-Mobile and they offer between 1.5-7 MB/s download speeds.
The third type is called LTE or Long Term Evolution. Verizon Wireless just launched their network earlier this month and AT&T plans to begin offering theirs in 2011.
Verizon's LTE in it's current form offers the fastest mobile speeds thus far -- average speeds between 5-12 MB/s up and down. To put that into perspective, it would take you about 6 minutes to download a video that is 500MB.
Testing out Verizon's LTE in the field, we got some impressive results:
- NBC10 Studios, Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
9.3 MB/s down, 2 MB/s up
- Independence Mall, Philadelphia, Pa.
11.7 MB/s down, 5.3 MB/s up
- Shops at Garden State Park, Cherry Hill, N.J.
12.8 MB/s down, 5.8 MB/s up
Obviously the speeds will vary depending on usage, proximity to the cell tower and the weather, but the numbers are still better than what some people get through their home broadband service.
Now on the two things that really matter to you – price and availability.
Currently, Verizon's LTE service is only available on mobile broadband cards for notebook computers, but Martin says they plan on rolling out LTE phones in the spring. The broadband card service will run you $50/month for 5GB or $80/month for 10GB and will also work on the 3G network.
Sprint's 4G phones – the HTC EVO and Samsung Epic – will run you anywhere between $200-$250 for the device and $99/month for unlimited data, calls and messaging. They also offer several mobile connection devices.
T-Mobile also offers two phones – the myTouch 4G and G2 – and one broadband USB card. The phones will run you $200 and unlimited service stands at $99/month.
All three networks are limited to certain metro areas, but expect to expand nationwide as the years roll on.
After explaining everything, you'll be happy to know that none of the types are true 4G – here's a great article that explains why – but the speeds are still way better than what you're getting now.
So if you find yourself lamenting over slow connections and want speeds like you're used to at home, on the go, then make the jump now.
Otherwise, just wait and you'll most likely be on 4G the next time you upgrade.
