4G, short for fourth generation, is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology, succeeding 3G and preceding 5G. A 4G system, in addition to the usual voice and other services of 3G, provides mobile broadband Internet access, for example to laptops with wireless modems, to smartphones, and to other mobile devices. Potential and current applications include amended mobile web access, IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing, 3D television, and cloud computing.
Austin’s M87 is trying to turn smartphones into extensions of the mobile network, sending mobile connections hopping from device to device before hitting the tower. Qualcomm has taken notice. Read more »
In an FCC filing, Comcast confirmed that it’s investigating the possibility of creating a mobile service that would lean heavily on its growing Wi-Fi hotspot network for most of its capacity. Read more »
While the data paints a good picture of the state of the current 4G device base, newer souped-up networks are delivering faster absolute speeds. Read more »
Through roaming agreements, collaboration of devices and spectrum sharing, Sprint is hoping to build a broad-reaching 4G network that could benefit both itself and rural carriers. Read more »
The HTC One will be the first U.S. smartphone to connect to two separate LTE networks simultaneously, resulting in big boosts in speed. The first carrier we’ll see use that technology… Read more »
AT&T’s Ralph de la Vega doesn’t want consumers to pay for the capacity that Netflix and other large video streaming services require by pushing for some type of pay-per-use broadband… Read more »
Carriers are slowly turning on voice-over-LTE in their networks, but they’re not doing it for the benefit of consumers. Rather they’ve got enterprises services — and enterprise pocketbooks — in mind. Read more »
GE wants to use old-school technology in our newest mobile devices. It’s resurrecting the mechanical relay on the microscopic level, saying its mechanical switch technology could squeeze more capacity at lower… Read more »
Microsoft’s Surface 2 get a bit more useful thanks to an integrated LTE radio for AT&T’s network. Expect to pay a $130 premium over the Wi-Fi edition when the device goes… Read more »