4G Service Providers (List)

Fourth generation, or 4G, is a mobile telecommunications standard designed to provide ultra-high-speed mobile Internet access, video calling, multimedia streaming and gaming services. In October 2010, the International Telecommunication Union published its specification that 4G cellular systems should aim for peak data transfer speeds of 100 Mbps when the user is mobile and up to 1 Gbps when stationary. As of November 2010, no networks are able to provide a service of this standard; however, providers are marketing plans with significant speed advantages over third-generation networks as "4G."SprintSprint partnered with Clearwire in 2008 and runs its 4G mobile broadband service on Clearwire's WiMax networks. As of November 2010, Sprint's 4G network is available in over 60 markets and provides average wireless download speeds of 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps and peak download speeds of more than 10 Mbps -- up to 10 times faster than 3G. Unlike 3G, there is no monthly download limit and you can buy a monthly broadband connection plan or a 4G Day Pass to access the 4G network. The Samsung Epic 4G and HTC EVO 4G cell phones give you access to Sprint's 4G services where they are available and will connect to the 3G network where there is no 4G coverage.AT&TAT&T intends to introduce its 4G network in mid-2011 and plans to cover 70 million to 75 million people by the end of that year. In the meantime, it's upgrading its 3G network to allow real-world download speeds to up to seven Mbps, to give all subscribers a significantly improved service before it deploys its 4G network. AT&T has chosen Long-Term Evolution technology for its 4G service and in October 2010 launched its first LTE-capable device, the USBConnect Adrenaline. The USB modem will run on AT&T's existing 3G mobile broadband network now, and after a software upgrade will be able to access the 4G LTE network where available.T-MobileIn November 2010, T-Mobile claimed that its current HSPA+ 3G network was delivering speeds that matched and even exceeded that of WiMax systems, in 75 metropolitan markets in the United States. Average download speeds of 5 Mbps and peak speeds of nearly 12 Mbps have been recorded and the network is capable of theoretical speeds of up to 21 Mbps, according to a press release issued by T-Mobile USA. The company also launched the myTouch 4G cell phone and its first 4G netbook, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 4G.VerizonVerizon also intends to use LTE technology for its 4G service and plans to launch its network in 38 major metropolitan areas of the United States, providing coverage to more than 110 million people by the end of 2010. The company will also provide 4G LTE service to more than 60 commercial airports across the country and intends to have full nationwide coverage in 2013. The new network will be backward-compatible with the current 3G network, providing seamless coverage between them. Verizon's implementation of LTE will support average data rates of 5 Mbps to 12 Mbps downstream and two to 5 Mbps upstream. References Wireless Network: 4G Networks and Service Cnet News: Will the Real 4G Please Stand Up? Sprint: 4G Wireless Broadband Network MacRumors: AT&T Looking to Launch LTE (4G) Network by mid-2011 Mobile Burn: AT&T Intros LTE-capable USBConnect Adrenaline 4G Modem PC World: T-Mobile Gets Tough With Competitors over 4G