What We Mean When We Say '4G'

COMMENTS

Newest First | Oldest First | Threaded View

<< < Page 4 / 5 > >>

kaps 12/5/2012 | 5:38:39 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

jepovic your history points are well taken but I am not so sure that this time technology will bail everyone out. The devices and apps are so far ahead of the network at this point I am not convinced that somehow it will all be taken care of as the technology matures.

As the networks are built today they don't have the spectrum depth necessary to allow everyone to stream video all the time. And that is where we are headed, from an addictive want-to-do standpoint. We're going to need a lot more spectrum to be freed up to handle the demands. It's not going to be a simple fix.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

paolo.franzoi 12/5/2012 | 5:38:38 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

Sorry but 4G wins because the carriers want it that way.

1 - Is the price of voice service any different between 3G and 4G? 

2 - Are the carriers approving new 3G phones?

The answer to both is NO.  The carriers want people to buy new devices and sign new contracts.  They want the technology to be attractive.  If they wanted it differently, then there would be a 3G handset maker that made cheaper 3G sets.  Seriously - what do you see LTE competing against?

seven

 

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

jepovic 12/5/2012 | 5:38:38 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

The proble of keeping up with demand is clearly a luxury one, which most industries would love to have. I believe that it will take many years, if ever, before all you can eat returns to wireless. The variability of the access speeds is also inherent to wireless data. Customers still love it.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

joset01 12/5/2012 | 5:38:37 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

My follow-up blog/rant (blant?) on 4G as a marketing term.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

^Eagle^ 12/5/2012 | 5:38:37 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

Not really.  You missed my point.  The standards bodies are not separate from the carriers.  The standards bodies are made up of the carriers themselves and from key systems OEM's.  The ecosystem is completely dominated by the carriers.  THEY ARE THE STANDARDS BODIES.  Their employees are on the standards groups.... and more importantly:

they are the ones who write capex checks.  

Until someone figures out a way to really compete with them, this is how it will always be.  Clearwire was underfunded to effectively compete.  same with other small players.  

As seven said, it is this way because the carriers want it this way.  Period.

sailboat.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

Flook 12/5/2012 | 5:38:37 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

Your comment nailed it--so basically the standards bodies allowed this confusing soup (3G, 4G) of terms to be used as marketing hype by telling service providers not to worry about the fine print in the standards.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

desiEngineer 12/5/2012 | 5:38:23 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

4G is just the latest schtick to sell wireless.  And that's no different than the new iPad's "Retina" screen (what was wrong with the last one?) or 3D HDTV.

For the tech-savvy, 4G is about an all IP network and OFDM, and therefore it's different.  HSPA ain't 4G, in my book.  Engineering guaranteed voice and data over an IP network with Diffserv, that'd be cool.  Oh yeah, and the universal deployment of IPv6.

Which basically means no-one's doing 4G yet :-)

-desi "Mr. Watson, come here" engineer

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

joset01 12/5/2012 | 5:37:51 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G' <h5 class="subhed">What is 4G?</h5>

It’s the fourth and latest generation technology for data access over cellular networks. It’s faster and can give networks more capacity than the 3G networks still on most phones. There’s a technical definition, set by a United Nations agency in Europe, and a marketing definition, which is looser, but more relevant to most consumers.

From an AllThingsD column yesterday. He considers HSPA+ a slower version of 4G.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

joset01 12/5/2012 | 5:36:59 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

What the South Bend Tribune means when it says 4G!

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

joset01 12/5/2012 | 5:36:58 PM

re: What We Mean When We Say '4G'

Woah, don't make me pull out the Huysmans, desi.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

<< < Page 4 / 5 > >>