Apparently, the fourth-generation of cell phones will turn smartphones into powerful Internet machines, with faster Internet speeds that rival broadband connection speeds for the home computer. Early tests of Verizon’s technology are hitting 50 to 60 Mbps, (though the actual speeds in the U.S. have yet to be determined). That’s faster than just about any Internet service available for home setups today. It’s like having Wi-Fi everywhere you go.
Verizon’s 4G service has already started testing in Minneapolis, Northern New Jersey and Columbus, Ohio, and they’re hoping to roll it out to 25 to 30 cities next year. “I know we want to roll it out on an aggressive schedule,” said Ken Muche, with Verizon Wireless.
Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks are helping Verizon launch its 4G service with a technology called Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, which is the 4G service of choice for AT&T and Cox Communications. It promises a better signal indoors, better quality video, coverage in rural areas, coverage worldwide and the ability to connect to consumer electronics.
A competing 4G standard is WiMax, backed by Sprint. Sprint launched its service in Baltimore in September with Internet data speeds of 2 to 4 Mbps. WiMax technology allows users to roam in a large area and still be connected to a fast Internet connection. Sprint’s XOHM service, with download speeds of up to 12 Mbps, is expected to launch this year (2009) in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, and Seattle. And then in 2010 it’ll make its way to Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Tags: Broadband Connection Speed, Internet Connection Speed, Internet Speed, Wi-Fi