Let's keep track of the plans of wireless data service providers (i.e, cell phone companies) to upgrade to higher speed equipment. The new equipment is usually labeled "4G," meaning it's the 4th generation of data transmission gear.
In USA, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Sprint, and MetroPCS have announced plans to move to 4G equipment in 2010 or 2011. 4G's main promise is 3 to 5 times faster download and upload speeds. The higher speeds will make new services like streaming movies and video chat feasible. Faster speed also means more customers can be accommodated from a single cell phone tower.
Even though wireless carriers are starting to roll out 4G services, the 4G speeds won't be available across their entire networks for many years. So cell phone carriers are advertising their data service as 4G/3G, depending on where you're connecting to their network.
Almost all cell phones and USB data modems on the market today use 3G technology. These devices won't directly benefit from 4G service. I expect cell phone manufacturers will offer lots of new models with upgraded 4G-capable radios. For example, I think Verizon Wireless will offer an iPhone with 4G capability by the end of the year. AT&T will follow suit in mid-2011, when its 4G network is ready.
On to news from individual companies.
In USA, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Sprint, and MetroPCS have announced plans to move to 4G equipment in 2010 or 2011. 4G's main promise is 3 to 5 times faster download and upload speeds. The higher speeds will make new services like streaming movies and video chat feasible. Faster speed also means more customers can be accommodated from a single cell phone tower.
Even though wireless carriers are starting to roll out 4G services, the 4G speeds won't be available across their entire networks for many years. So cell phone carriers are advertising their data service as 4G/3G, depending on where you're connecting to their network.
Almost all cell phones and USB data modems on the market today use 3G technology. These devices won't directly benefit from 4G service. I expect cell phone manufacturers will offer lots of new models with upgraded 4G-capable radios. For example, I think Verizon Wireless will offer an iPhone with 4G capability by the end of the year. AT&T will follow suit in mid-2011, when its 4G network is ready.
On to news from individual companies.