Really, what exactly is 4G?

[SuperTech]

Now that T-Mobile and AT&T claim they have 4G coverage I have to ask, what exactly is 4G? Was there a switch flipped to go from 3G to 4G?

[Marconi]

Great question......

In the coming months the wireless consumer is going to be bombarded with ads from the carriers claiming 4G service. Do they really have it or are they just changing the definition of 4G to meet their marketing needs. After a little research I found that the ITU sets the standards. They define IMT-Advanced or 4G as a system that provides a secure all IP based wireless network. Data speeds of 100Mbit/s for high mobility access and 1 Gbit/s for stationary 4G systems is required to meet the standard.

Pre-4G technologies such as WiMAX and first-release 3G (LTE) have been available on the market since 2006 and 2009 respectively, and are often branded as 4G. Current versions of these technologies do not fulfill the ITU-R requirements of data rates approximately up to 1 Gbit/s for 4G systems. Not even close.



So for T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless to claim 4G without any equipment change or change in technology will only lead to more customer confusion in the future.


Don't we have "truth in advertising" laws?


I would be interested to hear any comments from the group. Anybody?

[Tower Monkey]

I gotta agree. T-Mobile is just wrong in the claim.



What a joke. The american consumer will catch on. The upcoming ad wars will be entertaining.

[Marconi]

See here for some details.

[Marconi]

Ok, I'm in Denver to try out my Verizon 4G modem. Coverage seems good. The hotel I am staying in has excellent signal strength. The results are below.



I also have a Clearwire 4G modem. The Verizon is at least 10 times faster.

[coolegg]

They don't know what is the exactly definition for 4G.

[Marconi]

In Las Vegas this week at the CES show. It's an LTE market for Verizon.



Not bad.

[SuperTech]

In Las Vegas this week at the CES show. It's an LTE market for Verizon.



Not bad.

Wow. That's impressive. The up-speed is better than my cable modem at home. As soon as LTE is avaiilable in my home market I am going to ditch the cable modem and go with the LTE product.

[Sparky]

In Las Vegas this week at the CES show. It's an LTE market for Verizon.



Not bad.

I thought I was happy with my EVDO revA modem. Verizon let me upgrade to the 4G LTE modem even though this is not a LTE market yet. $10 less a month. Not bad.

[Marconi]

Back denver for a few days.



Amazing....