| 4G refers to the fourth generation of cellular | | | | consortium of heavyweights in the |
| wireless standards. It is an improvement over the | | | | telecommunication industry. These companies |
| previous generation, 3G. 4G technologies are | | | | include both equipment manufacturers and cellular |
| expected to offer both network efficiencies and | | | | operators. Therefore, more companies have |
| speed boost over 3G so as to adequately provide | | | | signed on to build LTE networks than WiMax. |
| for the growing data needs of subscribers using | | | | However, unlike WiMax, the earliest LTE networks |
| more bandwidth-intensive web applications. | | | | are only being tested. |
| Examples of online services that are bandwidth | | | | Compared to 3G, 4G specifications define the |
| intensive are multimedia messaging services, | | | | following standards: flexible and wider bandwidth |
| Internet TV, wireless broadband service, online | | | | channels; peak stationary data rates of 1 gigabits |
| gaming, media streaming and video chat. Even | | | | per second ad mobile and global data rates of 100 |
| more of such services will become popular in the | | | | megabits per seconds; better link and system |
| future and as our Internet devices become more | | | | spectra efficiencies in the downlink; better |
| sophisticated, we can only expect the demand for | | | | interoperability and smooth handoff between |
| data to increase. | | | | different networks; seamless connectivity and |
| The 4G standards are closely monitored by an | | | | high quality of service for bandwidth-intensive web |
| international regulatory body, the ITU. Presently, | | | | applications. It also offers an all IP, |
| the two frontline technologies qualified to be | | | | packet-switched network and also compatibility |
| termed 4G are WiMax (802.16m) and LTE | | | | with existing wireless networks. |
| (Long-Term Evolution) Advanced. Both of these | | | | These standards are formulated so that there |
| technologies offer high speed and spectrum | | | | won't be conflicting specifications as different |
| efficiency. In addition, they are both based on IP | | | | cellular operators build their 4G networks. They |
| (Internet Protocol) being built specifically to offer | | | | also help operators quickly move from 3G to 4G |
| wireless Internet connectivity. WiMax and LTE are | | | | with the lowest possible capital expense. |
| therefore alike in both features and specifications | | | | However, for you as a subscriber, these |
| even though they are competing technologies. | | | | standards are there to ensure you get the best |
| The flavor of WiMax that qualifies as 4G is the | | | | speed and service from the operators. In addition, |
| 802.16m. When implemented, this 4G WiMax will | | | | it is spelled out so that you can see a noticeable |
| offer speeds up to 1Gbit per second for | | | | difference between 4G and earlier standards. |
| stationary reception and 100Mbit per second for | | | | Because there are provisions for more resources, |
| mobile broadband Internet. The WiMax standard is | | | | 4G networks can easily be scaled to cope with |
| an open standard; therefore, it is less costly to | | | | more data load better than 3G networks. |
| build equipment for it. This is why WiMax | | | | What 4G does is provide a fat bandwidth pipe for |
| networks are cheaper than LTE. | | | | you to truly experience wireless broadband |
| LTE Advanced will provide similar speed as 4G | | | | Internet that rivals your fiber broadband and that |
| WiMax. It is a technology developed by a | | | | you can take with you anywhere you go. |