What is 4G? The ultimate guide to 4G wireless networks, phones, coverage, and more!
By Jeffery Van Camp - Digital Trend
If you’ve seen or heard an ad about a cell phone or wireless plan lately, you may have noticed that a lot of new buzzwords are being thrown around. Words like 4G, LTE, and WiMax seem to have replaced the last set of words we barely understood: 3G, GSM, and CDMA, but what does it all mean? Is it all a bunch of marketing nonsense or are these words you should know and understand? |
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| What is 4G?: Don’t let this surprisingly intuitive naming scheme spin you around: 4G simply means “fourth generation.” It’s the next step up in mobile Internet speed from 3G, which is a term you started hearing a few years back. |
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| What is WiMax? What is LTE? What’s the difference between LTE and WiMax? What is HSPA+? |
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| What is LTE:? LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution,” and is an ITU-approved 4G mobile broadband technology. |
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| Okay, then what is HSPA+?: We were getting to that. HSPA+ stands for “Evolved High-Speed Packet Access.” |
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| In this section, we will detail each carrier’s current and future 4G plans, including what network technologies they’ve chosen, what 4G devices are available, in what geographical regions 4G coverage is accessible, how fast they’re network is, and how much they’re charging. |
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