4G to the Future: Nextel vs. Verizon
Sprint/Nextel claims it’s got the only 4G network in town – and it’s true, for one pretty good reason: there’s no such thing as 4G. The “G” in 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G refers to “generation” and for the first three, there is a clear definition of what means what, as laid out by the International Telecommunications Union. 4G, for now, is nothing but a marketing term and an idea.
When the mobile industry turns the corner and reaches true 4G technology, cell phone voice and data should be faster, more secure and IP-based, like the Internet is. There are lots more technical nuts and bolts that will define 4G, but what matters most to us is the “Anytime, Anywhere” accessibility of voice, data and streaming multimedia. Basically, imagine if the entire nation were just one big hot spot.
This is what Nextel is talking about when they say they’ve got a 4G network. They own (most of) a firm that backs WiMAX, which is, in essence, WiFi on steroids. WiMAX gives you broadband speeds wirelessly via microwaves and it very well could be the future of Internet connectivity. You can use Nextel’s 3G/4G modems to hop on the net in selected cities, giving you average download speeds of 3 to 6 MBPS with unlimited 4G access, making Nextel great for anyone who owns a netbook from the likes of Gateway, HP or Acer.
But while Nextel is the first to offer 4G connectivity from the future, Verizon is hot on its heels with something called 3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution). LTE is the GSM version of 4G voice/data broadband and will be in direct competition with Nextel’s WiMAX. Verizon has already tested the LTE network back in July 2009 and reported download speeds around 7 to 12 MBPS. As far as hardware goes, Motorola and Sony Ericcsson have been testing LTE equipment - which means they’ll likely be the first to roll out 4G phones on LTE.
Meanwhile, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are dotting the countryside in cities like Portland, Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas with Clear WiMAX networks like little 4G Johnny Appleseeds. Time Warner will offer “Road Runner Mobile” in December, joining Comcast in the mobile broadband club and widening the reach of WiMAX.
Considering all that, it’s fairly safe to say the 4G is heating up.
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Tags: 4g, comcast, LTE, mobile broad band, road runner mobile, wimax