CIS 500

4G Wireless Networks

In telecommunications fourth generation (4G) represents the latest stage in the evolution of wireless data technologies. It is the successor to third generation (3G). A 4G system provides mobile ultra-broadband internet access to smartphones and other mobile devices. 4G mobile network standards enable faster data transfer rates than 3G.
4G has significant implications for the cloud. More and more businesses are migrating to Software-as- a-Service (SaaS) model. SaaS is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the internet 4G provides faster service to the applications while on the move.
The data input for 3G is up to 3.1 with an average speed range between 0.5 to 1.5. The data input for 4G is 2 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps), but has a potential estimated at a range of 100 to 300 MBPS. 3G has a peak upload rate of 5Mbps compared to 4G 500 Mbps. The network architecture for 3G is wide area cell based. The network architecture for 4G is an integration of wireless local area network (LAN) and wide area. The service and applications for 3G are CDMA 2000, UMTS, and EDGE. The service and applications for 4G are Wimax2 and LTE-Advance. 4G network enables users to freely roam across different communication systems, so the user conception 4G is that they can avoid dropped calls, roaming charges and dead spaces with the 4G network.

The 4G LTE network stands for Long Term Evolution. It has an average download speed of 16.65 Mbps and an average upload speed of 7.43 Mbps. 4G LTE devices have backward compatibility. This allows you to switch between the 4G LTE and 3G networks with no problems. The service availability for 4G has been expanded to over 300 markets worldwide. The 4G Wimax network stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access has an average upload speed of 1 Mbps and an average download speed of 3-6 Mbps. 4G Wimax has backwards compatibility just like the 4G LTE. 4G Wimax ix available in more than 80 cities. The 4G Wibro is the acronym for wireless broadband. This is an alternative to Wimax. Wibro has the ability to mark out a receiver that is stirring from one locations to another location at speeds of up to 74 miles per hour.

Customers are no longer staying loyal to their cell phone carriers. After their average two year contracts are up, they take the opportunity and change cell phone carriers. This growing trend have caused carriers to sit back and think about their competitors. Pricing is a key element in this competition. That is what fuels the jump from one carrier to another at the end of a contract. Carriers encourage customers to upgrade to smartphones, because smartphone incurs a premium for data usage. Customers are benefiting from the fierce competition. Customers are being offered smart phones at reduced prices. Prices can be brought down by trading in your current phone. They are also benefiting from carriers offers like, unlimited texting and data, shared plans and even paying earlier termination fees to their old carriers. Other factors are the expansion of the networks. Customers want to have service with a carrier that large coverage for the areas that they reside in or visit frequently.

Verizon and AT&T are two wireless giants that have emerged as the two dominant players. Verizon advertises that they have better coverage than their competitors. Verizon uses the 4G LTE technology. AT&T uses multiple technologies. Including 4G LTE and HSPA+. AT&T offers similar and fast service to its customers, just like Verizon, the only difference is that they use multiple technologies. Sprint actually has the most wireless spectrum than all the major wireless carriers combined.

Verizon is the owner of the largest 4G network. They were the first tier-one wireless provider in the world to build and operate a large-scale 4G LTE network. They started developing their 4G network a year before AT&T started to develop theirs. This gave them a competitive advantage over all of the other wireless networks. Verizon’s network is available in more than 500 markets. It recently added 11 new markets and expansions to their network that already provides service to over 303 million people. 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 Mbps, on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. Their 4G LTE network covers more than 99 percent of their 3G network footprint. Verizon 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country. When customers travel outside of the 4G LTE coverage area, their devices will automatically connect to Verizon Wireless 3G network. This feature enables their customers to stay connected from coast to coast.

Verizon’s 4G networks improves call completion, expands coverage area and offers reliable coverage in case of network, link or switch failure. As wireless network technology continue to grow and evolve, companies like Verizon and AT&T will continue to develop and expand their companies according to stay competitive. Although, Verizon overall is the largest carrier, other companies are still in competition with them and other companies.