1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G OMG!
Do you know what should hold you from getting a new smart phone this year? The answer comes in 2 alpha-numeric characters: 4G.
4G is the next major iteration of cellular wireless standards. The current in full service is popularly called 3G, which includes minor iterations such as HSPA and HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA).
4G has a theoretical peak data rate of 100Mbps - 1 Gbps compared to 3G's 200Kbps - 56Mbps. 4G is truly a big leap! With 4G, we can expect better video conferences, better HD media streams and better experiences when downloading or uploading photos, music and videos whether your are stationary or mobile. It is expected that the 4G experience may actually be as close as getting a TV reception on your mobile device.
There are pre-4G services like HSPA+, 3G LTE and mobile WiMAX which are being marketed as "4G". This brings about some controversy since true 4G should fulfill the IMT-Advanced criteria of 100Mbps - 1 Gbps as defined by ITU-R.
To date, there is no finalized 4G standard yet.
There are two standards being pushed for 4G. The first one is called Long Term Evolution (LTE Advanced by 3GPP) and the other one is called WiMAX (802.16m by IEEE). Both are being developed to meet the requirements of true 4G.
As early as now, different networks and device manufacturers are planning support for either standards but not both. When 4G "officially" launches, it should be noted that there may be a divide with regards to which standard is offered by different telecoms. If not in 2010, it is expected that the 4G standard would be finalized between 2011 and 2013. Consider this highly when getting your next 4G ready device.
Cellular has gone a long way since 1G (analog), 2G (digital), 3G (broadband) and 4G (ultra-broadband) in enabling and empowering wireless data access. I remember 2G started out with WAP which sort of worked fine for a while until 3G came out which was soon followed by 3.5G. With pre-4G's rolled out, there's no turning back. People want more faster networks and more wider coverages. The launch of 4G is highly anticipated and it should happen soon.
5G is planned for some time around or towards 2020. 5G and anything else after that should be crazy fast enough that people would probably have no reason to go wired! Can you imagine that? Indeed, indeed, wireless is the way to go... and we will live to see that day.
4G is the next major iteration of cellular wireless standards. The current in full service is popularly called 3G, which includes minor iterations such as HSPA and HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA).
4G has a theoretical peak data rate of 100Mbps - 1 Gbps compared to 3G's 200Kbps - 56Mbps. 4G is truly a big leap! With 4G, we can expect better video conferences, better HD media streams and better experiences when downloading or uploading photos, music and videos whether your are stationary or mobile. It is expected that the 4G experience may actually be as close as getting a TV reception on your mobile device.
There are pre-4G services like HSPA+, 3G LTE and mobile WiMAX which are being marketed as "4G". This brings about some controversy since true 4G should fulfill the IMT-Advanced criteria of 100Mbps - 1 Gbps as defined by ITU-R.
To date, there is no finalized 4G standard yet.
There are two standards being pushed for 4G. The first one is called Long Term Evolution (LTE Advanced by 3GPP) and the other one is called WiMAX (802.16m by IEEE). Both are being developed to meet the requirements of true 4G.
As early as now, different networks and device manufacturers are planning support for either standards but not both. When 4G "officially" launches, it should be noted that there may be a divide with regards to which standard is offered by different telecoms. If not in 2010, it is expected that the 4G standard would be finalized between 2011 and 2013. Consider this highly when getting your next 4G ready device.
Cellular has gone a long way since 1G (analog), 2G (digital), 3G (broadband) and 4G (ultra-broadband) in enabling and empowering wireless data access. I remember 2G started out with WAP which sort of worked fine for a while until 3G came out which was soon followed by 3.5G. With pre-4G's rolled out, there's no turning back. People want more faster networks and more wider coverages. The launch of 4G is highly anticipated and it should happen soon.
5G is planned for some time around or towards 2020. 5G and anything else after that should be crazy fast enough that people would probably have no reason to go wired! Can you imagine that? Indeed, indeed, wireless is the way to go... and we will live to see that day.
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