What is 4G Mobile Technology?

4G mobile technology is how people refer to the next generation of mobile services like the cell phones. It was just made available by at least one provider in a number of places in the US in 2009. Because it is still fresh, there is no established industry standard yet as to what constitutes 4G mobile. Thus, it is simply a marketing term in the mean time.

The letter G, used to shorten the word generation, in the mobile technology world covers the noticeable advances of the past 20-20 years. 1 G technology covered the first widely available mobile phones. Its successor, the 2G technology, began in the early 1990s - switching to a digital format and introduced the concept of text messaging. 3G technology made its mark by improving the way how data is carried, making it possible to have enhanced information services like websites in their original format. The famous iPhone is the best known example of this technology.

4G mobile technology is not yet established to have an agreed set of standards and protocols. This implies that its current features are simply goals and are not yet the full requirements. 4G mobile technology is still in the phase of developing enhanced security measures, since data transfer schemes are drastically increasing. Another 4G mobile technology goal is to overcome and minimize the blips in transmission when one device moves from one area to another covered by different networks. Another thing that 4G mobile technology is still working on is to figure out a way to use a network based on the IP address system used for the internet.

In the United States alone, there are two major systems using the 4G mobile technology. The first one is known as WiMax and is backed by Clearwire - a firm whose primary owner is Sprint Nextel. It began its testing phase of the system in Baltimore in 2008 and was set to expand overwhelmingly into major markets in 2009. The rival system is Long Term Evolution or LTE, which is backed by Verizon. It is expected to be ready for testing in 2010 but will not be available for use until 2012. LTE is hoping to overcome this disadvantage by providing faster speeds and producing cheaper equipment.

Unlike the previous generations of mobile technology, 4G mobile will be mainly used for internet access on computers and carrying cell phone communications. Customers in areas which have a strong 4G coverage can use it for a home broadband connection without needing any cables to be mounted in their household. It can also be used for accessing the internet outside the home without having to be stuck in a wireless hotspot like those that are offered by some coffee shops, airports and libraries.

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