| have ever doubted the need for 4G (fourth | | | | on the cellular network. This means that while loss |
| generation cellular network), that may be because | | | | of cellular signal disconnects your 3G connection, |
| you haven’t heard of its advantages over | | | | you are still connected with 4G networks. |
| the present 3G. Network operators recognize the | | | | Compared to 3G, 4G can use wider frequency |
| need for more capacity because they are | | | | bands (2 to 8 GHz compared to 3G’s 1.8 |
| reaching the limits of expansion of their 3G | | | | to 2.4 GHz), can offer higher bandwidths (100 |
| networks, yet the data needs of subscribers | | | | MHz and more compared to 5 to 20 MHz for 3G) |
| keep growing. Clearly, the only way to increase | | | | and, therefore, higher speeds (20 to 100 Mbps for |
| capacity is to upgrade to a faster and a more | | | | mobile use and even higher for stationary users |
| efficient technology. | | | | while 3G speeds are between 384 Kbps and 2 |
| The first reason 4G trumps 3G, and the other | | | | Mbps). |
| sub3G technologies, is that it is built from the | | | | In addition, the design of 4G uses completely |
| start to cope with data. It does this by | | | | digital packet-switched data protocols. 3G, on the |
| converging data and voice over the Internet. | | | | other hand, uses both the digital packet and the |
| Provision for data services has always been an | | | | inefficient circuit-switched data technologies. This |
| add-on for 3G networks, which were built to | | | | makes 4G more efficient in transporting data and |
| effectively handle voice calls better than the | | | | voice. Even more efficiency is gained with the |
| previous 2G. | | | | smart antennae used for 4G networks. Since |
| Furthermore, where 3G networks are built as a | | | | these antennae are optimized with software |
| web of wide area base cells, 4G has a hybrid | | | | rather than by directional fixed designs with 3G |
| network architecture integrating both established | | | | network antennae, it is easier and cheaper to |
| wireless technologies (Wi-Fi, etc.) and the same | | | | adapt 4G networks to the need of the |
| wide area cells. The hybrid nature of 4G shows | | | | subscribers. In fact, each subset of the network |
| that it is built around and for the Internet. In fact, | | | | can be differently tweaked to meet the |
| one of the two technologies qualifying as 4G, | | | | bandwidth needs of the sector served. |
| WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave | | | | Clearly, 4G is not a newer version of 3G like 2.5G |
| Access) is a long range, wireless Internet | | | | and 2.75G were just faster 2G technologies. The |
| technology. By making it mobile and even faster, | | | | design and network architecture of 4G are |
| it easily met the requirements for 4G. | | | | geared towards providing optimum data |
| The integration of both cell-based and wireless | | | | connection over the Internet. Therefore, 4G |
| technologies also makes 4G even more reliable, | | | | handles data traffic via the Internet better than |
| since your data connection does not solely depend | | | | 3G. This makes it faster and more efficient. |