4G Technology

4G networking is a growing phenomenon across the globe, although it is taking longer to get off the ground in some places than in others. It is the evolution in mobile data access that drastically improves download and upload speeds when compared with last generation 3G networks while also enhancing audio quality for those making voice calls.

At the moment there is not a huge mainstream demand for 4G because it can be a relatively confusing area of mobile technology to discuss in any detail. It is not a single, unified platform but rather a collection of occasionally different networking systems which require a decent grasp of the basics to appreciate.

There are a number of networking technologies which fall under the wide umbrella of 4G, including LTE (Long Term Evolution) and Wi-MAX. Data download speeds can range from between 10Mbps to more than 100Mbps and there are tests and trials which will eventually see 1Gbps achievable, at least in theory. In practice the real world circumstances which have an impact upon network performance and reception in the world of mobile phones will still affect 4G and although speeds will be much faster, achieving the theoretical maximum speed of a network will be as problematic as it is today with 3G.

There are a number of 4G-ready handsets available in the US and Europe, with countries where 4G coverage is still limited receiving modified versions of these devices in which certain components have been removed.

The HTC Evo 4G was one of the first handset to run on a 4G network when it launched in America back in mid-2010. Using Wi-MAX networks available in certain cities it was capable of hitting download speeds of 10Mbps and 1Mbps for uploads. HTC has since released a number of other 4G smartphones including the Thunderbolt 4G and the Radar 4G, the latter of which was one of the first Windows Phone 7 devices to offer faster connectivity using this type of technology. Rivals including Samsung and Motorola have also joined the market with their own 4G handsets.

4G is not exclusively limited to smartphones and in fact might be better understood in the context of tablet computers, since these are the devices which have the larger screens and higher power outputs which are capable of making the most out of 4G networks. A few tablet devices have launched with LTE antennas onboard but in the future with the increased emphasis on cloud computing solutions enacted by companies like Apple and Amazon it is likely that 4G will play a more prominent role. It will eventually become possible to smoothly stream high definition videos and even enjoy cloud-based software which lets you play games, edit clips and do much more on your tablet by harnessing 4G networks in a way that is not possible with older 3G.

While smartphones like the BlackBerry Bold get by on 3G networks because email and simple web browsing does not require a particularly nippy connection, the next generation of smartphones will need 4G in order to flourish.