4G is the catch-all phrase of the telecom companies today. It promises to be the panacea of all broadband service. The problem is not all of telecom companies are up to speed with the new 4G network.
Companies like AT&T and Verizon Wireless have committed to the newer standard, with Verizon rumored to play catch up with an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network by the end of 2010. Sprint was one of the first to deploy the fourth-generation wireless technology in June. Verizon and MetroPCS are said to be on schedule for the fall. AT&T and T-Mobile have already boosted their 3G speeds. WiMax provider Clearwire has said it has accelerated its 4G deployment for this year.
So why, the delays? The problem is where there are rollouts, there are also fallouts. Some rural areas of the United States still don’t have 3G coverage. Many telecom companies are strapped after spending billions of dollars on their 3G rollouts. It is a fuzzy picture and one that is not only confronting the United States. Carriers in the United Kingdom may not be able to deploy their LTE-based 4G networks until 2013. That delay is not so much a technological glitch as it is a delay in Parliament.
What is the Hype About?
How do you make a choice? You want faster broadband access. You aren’t sure where to turn. Why is 4G so much better? 4G means faster access to data. It is the latest generation of Wi-Fi, short-range wireless technology. It means you can stream video at faster bit rates, with less stuttering and higher resolution. Video conferencing for business is also much better on a 4G-network platform.
Telecom providers have been working to build at least a 70% 4G footprint in the majority of markets. A 100% deployment would mean a slower upgrade with fewer customers served. This is because of the technological glitches that can occur with any new upgrade in wireless service. Your future 4G access is a matter of geographics and overall market placement. The bigger the market demographic, the better the chance you will get 4G.
Why Should You Care?
The key here is speed and clarity. You get faster downloads, better clarity and better service with 4G. 4G supports unicast, multicast and broadcast services. It also means better continuity and seamless transmissions. Plus, you are guaranteed better connections in remote areas of the country. 4G is the promise of uninterrupted service wherever you are.
The ideal 4G scenario guarantees a consumer better access to mobile service, video, music, games, and Internet navigation. When you subscribe to 4G service, you are should have download speeds of at least 100 Mbit/s. That is ten times faster than the current 3G service.
Geographic interference should not be as much of a problem. You can travel in the car and enjoy a steady download of your favorite HD movie or real-time gaming with people on the Internet. Uninterrupted gameplay and better resolution is definitely a plus for serious gamers. Business communication is seriously improved, with little or no pixilation when video conferencing with someone in another part of the world.
Which Service is Best?
Obviously, in anything technological, you need to do your homework. The wireless internet service or provider you choose should fit your particular needs and demands. You should go online and see what each one is offering. Also, keep in mind there is more competition in the industry, with new players offering better pricing and service. One of these is ClearWirelessInternetService.com. They can offer you packages that fit your specific needs and budget for WiMax and wireless Internet access. Do your research. That way you will be ready when there is a serious 4G takeover in the service industry.