3g vs 4g. Essay

If you listen to any of the ads for the large wireless mobile providers you'll most likely hear about how their networks run on 4G and the ads make it sound like 4G is the greatest thing to happen to mobile devices, including cell phones and tablets. But is 4G really better then 3G or is it a lot of hype to get you to sign a new contract? Let's examine the two systems. The G in 3G and 4G (and earlier versions) stands for "Generation", which is really the generation of tech installed on your phone and at the wireless towers. As new generations of tech emerge they are installed into the wireless towers but do not provide a way to upgrade your devices which requires you to buy a new one to work with the new-gen tech. "Third-generation mobile networks, or 3G, came to the U.S. in 2003. With minimum consistent Internet speeds of 144Kbps, they were supposed to bring "mobile broadband." There are now so many varieties of 3G, though, that a "3G" connection can get you Internet speeds anywhere from 400Kbps to more than ten times that." (Segan, 2012) With the release of 4G phones, the perception would be that the 4G would be even faster than the 3G but that hasn't proven to be true in all situations. "There are so many technologies called "4G," and so many ways to implement them, that the term is almost meaningless. The International Telecommunications Union, a standards body, tried to issue requirements to call a network 4G but they were ignored by carriers, and eventually the ITU backed down. 4G technologies include HSPA+ 21/42, WiMAX, and LTE (although some consider LTE the only true 4G of that bunch, and some people say none of them are fast enough to qualify.)" (Segan, 2012) 3G service and applications include CDMA 2000, UMTS, EDGE etc. Phones have become mini-portable computers and now a majority of people use them more for applications (apps) instead of talking. According to Priya Viswanathan of About.com, the pros and cons of 3G and 4G usage are as follows: