I keep hearing about 4G networks but can anyone afford this? Aren’t I better off downloading it at home and transferring it over to my phone or whatever? Is anyone actually using wireless closed circuit TV or broadcasting from your handheld?
The only "4G" grade service currently in operation is Sprint's "Clear" WiMax service. Sprint has not yet released any dual CDMA/WiMax phones. What makes it confusing is their WiMax network is operating under the service name "Clear" (Clearwire, a major partner). How it will integrate into existing Sprint service remains to be seen. The more common 4G standard is LTE (Long Term Evolution). Verizon is in the process of building their LTE network to operate simultaneously with their existing CDMA network. We are still some time away from major deployment, but there could be headway made in this direction some time next year. AT&T will eventually move towards LTE, but not before utilizing the various speed enhancements of HSPA (UMTS and its assorted related names). T-Mobile looks to be heading towards LTE sooner than thought, likely ahead of AT&T's deployment. The key componant of 4G is high-speed data, rivalling cable modem speeds (50Mbps-100Mbps), which will allow for high-def media on phones, super-fast mobile internet and whatever else cell companies decide to do with it. Wide implementation of 4G may still be years away.
Clear WiMax is a joint venture between Sprint, Comcast and a few other parties. Clear has been operational in Portland for most of 2009...if not before. They lit Atlanta and Las Vegas months ago. Seattle, parts of NC, Chicago and somewhere else came online today. This is my latest Speedtest result. I just moved into Downtown Portland and "pay" $40/month for 6Mbps/500Kbps As you can see, "if" you are in the right place..you get substantially more than what you pay for. I "was" getting about 4-5Mbps prior to the move when the nearest antenna was miles away. My modem is pointing straight at the OHSU hill..for those of you that that might mean something to... For some reason, speedtest is saying that I'm located in Las Vegas..hence the ~750 miles from Portland. Been this way for a few weeks now... *shrug* And then sometimes I get speeds like this.... just a few minutes later "IF" you are in the right place..it's a fantastic deal. Sometimes though..it can suck rocks and you never get close to what you're paying for... hit or miss. But Clear is good (better than Clearwire was) at letting you out of contracts (if you go that way) and sending techs to help find best modem position..if there is one.... YMMV.
As to affordability, since Sprint is the only one offering anything in this arena, we'll have to look to them. Right now they're charging $10 (69.99 vs. 59.99 for 3g only) more per month for 4G service with a laptop USB adapter. I suspect that as 4G becomes more pervasive, they'll phase out the 3G only plans and keep the $10 increase for data cards. When they do offer a 4G capable phone, I'm not sure if they'll charge more or not. From a cost perspective, however, 4G speeds might enable some people to discontinue they're wired broadband service if they have good coverage in their home.
