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4G Service Providers (List)

Fourth generation, or 4G, is a mobile telecommunications standard designed to provide ultra-high-speed mobile <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/internet/">Internet</A> 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 <a href="http://www.wirelessinternet.org/4G-network.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wireless Network: 4G Networks and Service</A> <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20022011-266.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cnet News: Will the Real 4G Please Stand Up?</A> <a href="http://shop.sprint.com/en/solutions/mobile_broadband/mobile_broadband_4G.shtml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sprint: 4G Wireless Broadband Network</A> <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/16/atandt-looking-to-launch-lte-4g-network-by-mid-2011/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MacRumors: AT&T Looking to Launch LTE (4G) Network by mid-2011</A> <a href="http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=11108" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mobile Burn: AT&T Intros LTE-capable USBConnect Adrenaline 4G Modem</A> <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/209667/tmobile_gets_tough_with_competitors_over_4g.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PC World: T-Mobile Gets Tough With Competitors over 4G</A>

4G Service Providers (List)

Fourth generation, or 4G, is a mobile telecommunications standard designed to provide ultra-high-speed mobile Internet access, video callin...

YouView formally looking for content providers

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/youview/youview_logo_bigger-200-200.jpg"> You View has formally asked for people who want to create channels or offer on demand programming on the forthcoming IPTV platform to make their interest know. YouView represents a push by major UK broadcasters and communications companies to set down a unified platform for IPTV. With the likes of the BBC, ITV, BT and Channel 4 involved, the project is being hailed as potentially one of the biggest IPTV platforms that the UK will see. Content needed And now it is seeking content for the platform, asking for formal expressions of interest from content providers "looking to make their content available on the open internet-connected TV environment" as part of a new 'industry engagement program'. Accprdiong to YouView, the first phase is to identify a 'small number' of auio and video content providers at first – with apps and IP channels brought in at a later date. Richard Halton, CEO, YouView, said: "I'm delighted to launch our industry engagement programme and look forward to seeing the response from across the UK's rich and vibrant content community." Ambition "Our ambition is to open up the TV screen to content providers who until now have been unable to build an audience, bringing viewers a brilliant choice of content," he added "YouView is creating an open environment for content providers to play in and this will take some technical innovation. "To develop the most effective processes for content providers we need to at first work closely with a few that can prove our model and ensure it's scalable. "Our plan is to extend the programme out as we start to build common expertise and get more great content on board." "We're seeing a vibrant ecosystem developing in the IPTV market and are also committed to helping this flourish and grow in the best way to meet the needs of content providers." YouView is scheduled to launch in 2011.

YouView formally looking for content providers

You View has formally asked for people who want to create channels or offer on demand programming on the forthcoming IPTV platform to make t...

VoIP Security - Why VoIP Providers Are More Secure

Up until recently, the issue of security for VoIP hasn't been one that has received a great deal of attention. However, as the growth of 'verbal emails' continues and VoIP becomes increasingly popular particularly amongst business users, it is an issue that has to be addressed. Using a VoIP provider gives you more of a measure of security than relying on freeware systems available on the Internet. The primary defence mechanism of any computer is the firewall. Providing a barrier between your computer or network and security threats such as hackers and viruses, a firewall offers a degree of protection that filters data going in and out of your network. As VoIP works by breaking voice messages into digital data, a standard firewall installed in your PC may not be enough to offer you full protection. VoIP providers have much more stringent firewalls installed on their main servers, which protects the entire network and all machines linked into that network. This is one of the primary reasons why, if you're serious about using VoIP on a regular basis, it's best to sign up with a bona fide VoIP provider. Passwords are an essential part of Internet life, and VoIP should be considered as no different to any other secure operation you carry out on your computer. Authentication is the best way to ensure that those using the system are authorised to do so and that you don't have any unauthorised access to your system. Unfortunately, very few VoIP providers actually have this facility, so it's best to hunt around for providers that do offer you this additional layer of protection. You should also inquire if your VoIP provider offers an encryption service. If a data packet (the broken down information that flies across the ether) is intercepted by a third party, it is of no use whatsoever to them if they can't read it. An encryption facility secures the data by changing it into an unintelligible form which is translated or decrypted at the receiving end, making sure that your VoIP call is as secure as possible. Again, your VoIP provider should be able to tell you if they offer an encryption service to paying customers. Without a rethink and some serious security protocol implementations, VoIP will find it difficult to make inroads into the lucrative commercial market. It is this aspect that VoIP providers are now focusing their efforts on, rather than the clarity of calls, for example. VoIP security needs to be addressed as part of the overall context of Internet security. At present, private branch exchanges (PBX) are replaced by server-based IP PBXs running on the ubiquitous Microsoft Windows operating system. This system has shown itself to be vulnerable to attack from hackers and an attack on a VoIP server could result in the loss of potentially sensitive data. Therefore, it is important that equipment is properly protected, and the best way for the individual user to have this assurance is to use a legitimate VoIP provider. VoIP gateways are potentially one of the weakest links in the chain. When VoIP is used on an external network, gateway technology converts the data package from the IP network into voice before sending them over a public telephone network. The concern is that at this point, VoIP can be hacked by unscrupulous users to gain access to free calls. The trick to prevent this lies, once again, through password protection and making sure that the gateway is configured in such a way as to ensure that only people with the correct access codes are permitted to make and receive VoIP calls. All of these weaknesses within the system are best addressed by using a dedicated VoIP provider who has the appropriate firewalls, authorisation and encryption facilities to make sure your data is as well protected as possible. There will always be a number of determined hackers who may attempt to access VoIP calls, but minimising the possibility by placing your trust in an experienced and professional provider is the best way to thwart all but the most determined of attacks.

VoIP Security - Why VoIP Providers Are More Secure

Up until recently, the issue of security for VoIP hasn't been one that has received a great deal of attention. However, as the growth of...