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The Holy Grail of Wireless Connectivity

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By Barbara Gengler

Mobile operators are predicting great things from a new technology that could mean big differences in the way people run their smart phones or laptops, both at home and on the go.

The new network, 4G (short for the fourth generation of cellular wireless), promises to deliver 100 Mbps to roaming mobile devices globally and around 1 Gbps to a stationary device. Today’s networks, known as 3G, provide for download speeds of 14.4 Mbps and upload speeds of 5.8 Mbps.

There are two major systems in the US that are currently testing services on 4G technology. WiMAX, which is backed by Clearwire; and Long Term Evolution, which is backed by Verizon Wireless.

Long Term Evolution (LTE), is a 4G network technology that will offer high rates, high reliability and long range communications. LTE, which is being developed by industry trade group, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), is scheduled to be launched commercially in 2010 by Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless. T-Mobile and Alltel have said they will roll out 4G capabilities based on LTE and the European Commission announced it will invest in researching the deployment of LTE.

Verizon Wireless says it has already proven the new technology has significant speed advantages over the older 3G networks and that the LTE service could be as much as 100 times faster than its 3G predecessor. “Advanced LTE-based wireless networks will support incredible new applications that businesses and consumers can only access today through high-speed wireline networks,” says Debra Lewis, a Verizon Wireless spokeswoman. “In addition to simply faster e-mail and internet access and better-quality video services, wireless users will be able to take applications they are accustomed to using at home or in the office into the mobile world; roaming on other global LTE networks will provide portability to take those applications virtually answer on the planet.” She also points out LTE offers the possibility of providing coverage in some rural areas not currently served by wireless broadband. “Most importantly, a wide-area wireless LTE network will be able to connect a full range of consumer electronics devices and machines to each other, the holy grail of true wireless interconnectivity,” she says.

Verizon Wireless plans on launching its LTE 4G network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people and a growth plan that anticipates nationwide coverage in 2013.

On Aug. 14, Verizon Wireless said it completed calls in Boston and Seattle and each now have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running on the 700 MHz spectrum. Technology partners included Alcatel-Lucent, LG, Samsung Electronics, Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks and Ericsson.

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