What is 4G and When can We Expect it?

You hear a lot of talk about 3G and now 4G in wireless news stories and among WiFi people. What is that? Well the ‘G’ just refers to ‘generation’. So 4G is the 4th generation of mobile technology. Unlike 3G (the 3rd generation), there is not yet a formal standard for 4G. So as result, some companies are using the term ‘4G’ in their marketing to refer to self-serving definitions. In general, 4G refers to a mobile technology that will more seamlessly handle higher bandwidth usage like streaming video while also providing a more reliable and robust voice service.

One thing about the 4G standard is certain. Mobile providers will have to upgrade their infrastructure before it can officially begin rolling out. Verizon who is the backbone provider for Lightyear Wireless, will be leading the pack as usual. Verizon has announced plans to begin testing their 4G network service this year (dubbed LTE for Long Term Evolution). Then they plan to launch it live in 25 to 30 U.S. markets in 2010. So we can expect even better handsets to come out of this and provide us dazzling and amazing wireless services in the not too distant future!

Verizon expects 4G launch next year