LTE is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution and it is the successor of the UMTS 3G (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). LTE is an update to the UMTS 3G bringing significant improvements in the data transfer both in downloading and uploading with up to ten times more speed. LTE is a 4’Th generation technology and it has gained a lot of favour lately with mobile phones.

The 3G technology cannot suffice the need for speed and communication anymore and here LTE steps in, boosting the download speed, the buffering speed of a video, the uploading speed of a photo and loading of a game.

LTE Coverage

LTE 4G is gaining more and more ground with every new mobile phone that comes out, the 3G technology is being replaced, LTE having better features and gaining more coverage. Even if the technology is not at its full potential it will become a must for every Smartphone that will come out on the market in the next years.

Due to its capabilities people can watch full-length movies with little or no lag at all, they can download music in a few seconds, play online games and have applications downloaded in just a moment.

Even though it has revolutionized the speed of internet, this technology only has coverage in few areas like North America, Northern Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, with plans to extend in the next future to Russia, Southern Europe and Asia.

Verizon wireless is the main provider in the US of 4G LTE with the largest coverage and that promises to double it until the end of the year. There are several devices that can support 4G, tablets, smartphones, netbooks and USB modems.

A cool device that Verizon brings is the Verizon Jetpack MiFi 4510L a 4G mobile hot spot to which you can connect with max 5 Wi-Fi devices. It supports Windows, Mac OS and Linux, a battery Lithium-Ion 1530mAh and it lasts up to 5 hours with intense usage, with a chipset MDM9600. It is a small device of 3.74X2.36X0.53 and it weights 3.0 oz, the mode it uses Wi-Fi; 700Mhz LTE; 800/1900 Mhz CDMA. It has a 4G SIM card compatible and it has a download speed of 5-12 Mb/s and an upload speed of 2-5 Mb/s.

This device is an intelligent, new generation device and you can connect wherever, whenever and however you want, securely and on spot and most importantly with super speed.

Bottom-line, this new technology is top-notch and it will leave its predecessors behind long-forgotten, it is still in the development phase, but in this modern and up to speed world nothing is ever finished until it’s out, so we can expect even greater things from these LTE devices.

Additional LTE Reading:

What is 4G | What is LTE | HSPA

Before we get to far into the discussion, just a big disclaimer. All the carriers use the terms 4G, LTE, HSPA, HSDPA, HSPA+, 4G LTE, and Wimax to mean very similar things. The goal of this post is to help everyone understand what each carrier’s 4G coverage maps looks like and what the actual speeds are. Because really, isn’t that the goal – “How fast is it and where can and can’t I get that speed”.

AT&T’s 4G Coverage Map

On the bottom of the page you’ll notice the legend about what all the colors mean. Let’s break down what AT&T is saying these speeds actually are:

1. 4G (Dark Blue) – Upload 1Mbps and Download – 6 Mbps

2. 4G LTE (Gold Star) – Upload – 11Mbps and Download – 28Mbps

When looking at this, please note that AT&T stated these speeds would drop based on number of users sharing a cell tower and what they were doing on their phones. So, these are speeds of one person on the tower only.

One knock that a lot of people have had against AT&T is the lack of coverage. They have acknowledged this and are actively working on improving their 4G coverage to stay competitive. AT&T has also recently has upgraded to HSPA+ for their mobile backbone which gives increased speeds and allows for 4G capabilities.

In the summer of 2011 also upgraded a number of markets to 4G LTE. The goal is to reach 70 million Americans in 15 different markets. AT&T claims to have the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network. Based on the 4G coverage map above, I would also venture to say they have quite a bit of coverage as well.

Click here to check AT&T coverage in your area

Verizon’s 4G Coverage Map

Verizon’s version of 4G utilizes the Verizon LTE network. This rapidly expanding 4G network currently covers more than 140 markets in the United States with plans to expand quickly. The long term goal for Verizon’s 4G coverage map is cover all their current 3G locations with 4G by the end of 2013.

Verizon 4G LTE – Upload – 5Mpbs and Download 10Mbps

Sprint’s 4G Coverage Map

Sprint’s 4G coverage map is rather impressive considering their long history of falling behind the bigger carriers like AT&T and Verizon. One complaint I do see a lot is the lack of Sprint coverage outside of the major highways and roads. Rural coverage for Sprint does need some improvement. That being said, Sprint is comitted to improving their 4G coverage map and providing the best mobile data experience possible to their customers.

 Sprint’s 4G Speed – Upload - 3Mpbs and Download 3-6 Mbps

When you compare the major carriers, it’s pretty clear that right now Verizon 4G LTE coverage map is dominating the market. This however will change as carriers like AT&T continue to improve their footprint. One bottleneck that all 4G companies will have is their backbone for this increase data. All information currently available is based on an empty 4G network with no user data. Just image how these quoted speeds will decrease when there are thousands of users uploading videos, downloading files, streaming media and much more all at the same time. It won’t matter then who has the better 4G coverage map, it will all depend on who has the biggest backbone to support all the data.

Please Contact Us if you still have questions about 4G Coverage Maps.

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New Verizon LTE Coverage – City List

Here is are the new cities that can take advantage of the Verizon’s LTE Network:

1. Decatur, AL
2. Carbondale, IL
3. Portland, OR
4. Huntsville, AL
5. Wichita, KS
6. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA
7. Phoenix, AZ
8. Louisville, KY
9. Charleston, SC
10. Los Angeles, CA
11. Baton Rouge, LA
12. Chattanooga, TN
13. San Diego, CA
14. Springfield, MA
15. Knoxville, TN
16. Colorado Springs, CO
17. Northern New Jersey
18. Dallas, TX
19. Bradenton, FL
20. Las Vegas, NV
21. Ft. Worth, TX
22. Lakeland, FL
23. Durham, NC
24. San Antonio, TX
25. Sarasota, FL
26. Greensboro, NC
27. Olympia, WA
28. Augusta, GA
29. High Point, NC
30. Seattle, WA
31. Hilo, HI
32. Winston-Salem, NC
33. Tacoma, WA
34. Honolulu, HI
35. Toledo, OH
36. Charleston, WV
37. Kahului, Lahaina, Wailuku & Kihei, HI
38. Tulsa, OK

Just looking at this list of the new 38 cities that can take advantage of Verizon LTE, it’s clear the company is expanding it’s mobile data footprint quickly.

 Verizon LTE Coverage Map

Verizon LTE Coverage

Curious if Verizon LTE coverage is available in your city, click here.

Verizon LTE Speed

Verizon’s mobile data network has been tested by a number of outside companies. Recently PC World did a head to head comparison of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. Based on their test results, Verizon’s LTE network was head and shoulders above the competition. The download speed was quoted at 9.46 Mbps and an upload speed of 1.35 Mbps. This is comparable to broadband speeds in your home!

Currently Verizon LTE Coverage is available in over 115 markets around the United States and is also available in 98 airports. By the end of the 2011, Verizon hopes to provide LTE to over 175 markets. The goal is have all nationwide 3G areas upgraded to LTE by the end of 2013.

Please Contact Us if you still have questions about Verizon LTE Coverage.

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As compared to conventional mobile networks, 3G vs 4G provides Wide Band Wireless Network which gives immense speed and features used with the clarity that enhances and offers the excellence similar to that of an actual real conversation in video as well as voice calling. The data can be sent by a technology called Packet Switching or HSPA+. Voice calls can be interpreted during Circuit Switching.

Where, Fourth Generations- 4G network is much better and faster than what its successor 2G and 3G vs 4G provides. This generation mobile networks are expected to provide a broad and protected IP based mobile Internet solutions to users to their portable and media devices like laptop, computer, modems, smart phones and PDAs, and other smartphone devices. Such service facilitates ultra broadband Internet access which offers speed for IP telephony, gaming services, and streamed multimedia.

3G vs 4G Data Rates:

3G vs 4G Speeds

3G networks efficiently uses radio frequency that helps faster access to communication signals for better clarity. As the networks enables users to access Internet with precision and enhances video calling, higher data transmission rate is expected. 3G networks provide as high as data rates up to 2mbps or 3.6mbps to max 7.2mbps, which largely depends on your carrier and network provider. While 4G networks aims to provide data streaming and media playing at much high bit rate lessening bit error rate that ranges from the 100Mbps to 1Gbps.

3G vs 4G Coverage:

3G networks allocate bandwidth to enable those applications in your mobile which was difficult to assume earlier. The conception of UMTS standards gave rise to use of mobile TV, Video on demand, Video conferencing, TeleMedicine and other location based services using 3G technology. While streaming and data transmission rate is much higher than that of 4G it enable the user to use devices that consumes bandwidth e.g. playing HD videos, Video calling, mobile TV, and many more with precision. 4G also enables more concurrent users per call which also improves conventional video conferencing; that means higher efficiency and fewer falls in the calls.

3G vs 4G Conclusion

Most of the US network service providers are in the stage to upgrade their networks to 4G technology as one of the major advantages of 4G technology has over 3G is superior data rates. This will benefit the mobile user by offering them faster access to video and multimedia and while on the move.
Please Contact Us if you still have questions about 3G vs 4G.

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HSPA is known by a lot of different names. The official name for HSPA is High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, however we commonly refer to it as HSDPA, 3G, and even 3.5G. Before we dive into the question, What is HSPA, let’s take a step back and learn more about this mobile wireless technology.

What is HSPA Backbone

HSPA is the actual backbone that all the different mobile companies like AT&T and T-mobile refer to as 4G. It’s basically the nitty gritty technical side of the way our smartphones transfer data. Technically, it’s a protocol for mobile phones to transfer data. A protocol is defines as a set of rules used to define communication across a medium. The most popular protocol is probably TCP/IP. This is the protocol almost all computer networks use to communicate with other computers and transfer data. The rules HSdPA has setup dictate how our wireless devices transfer data and connect with other computer devices.

What is HSPA?

Currently there are over 100 HSDPA capable data networks that operate in more than operating in 54 countries around the world. The majority of these networks offer provide speeds around 3.6 Mbps downl and less than 1 Mbps upload. . There are a few providers who offer fast HSDPA speeds a full 14.4 Mbps. The HSDPA is in direct competition with EVDO network like Verizon.

What is HSPA Providers

Providers have figured out a way to increase what is HSPA into a new version of the technogloy called HSPA+. These new increased speeds are around 42 Mbps upload and 84 Mbps download. These numbers are of course based on the ideal situation. Cell phone carriers are sure to limit these speeds once in production. This new HSPA+ is what is commonly referred to as 4G. This of course is what we have heard so much hype about in the media. The great thing about this upgrade to HSPA+ or 4G is that there is no upgrade to the mobile infrastructure. Providers are able to update the HSPA protocol which is software and no hardware upgrade will be needed.

As what is HSPA continues to mature in HSPA+ and future technologies, one this is for sure. No matter how fast mobile providers make service, we will continue to want more and more. With web conferencing application like Skype or Facetime and uploads needs required for high definition video taken from your phone it’s safe to say there is no foreseeable shortage in the demand for more mobile speed.

Please Contact Us if you are still asking yourself, What is HSPA.

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WiMAX is a wireless digital communication system, also known as IEEE 802.16 or 4G and is presented by a company by the name of Clearwire. With the addition of Wimax networks, mobile internet users no longer will need to search for Wifi hot spots to get online and can count on a reliable and safe connection that expands much further than Wifi capabilities.

What is Wimax Speeds

What is Wimax?

WiMAX can provide broadband wireless connections up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3 – 10 miles (5 – 15 km) for mobile stations. In comparison, a current WiFi technology network can range between 100 – 300 feet (30 – 100m) of access. 500M users worldwide have witnessed the Wimax tech to range over the 30 miles for fixed stations. Count on Wimax to provide high speed data transfers of up to 70 megabits/second. In comparison, the fastest Wifi connection tops out at 54 megabits/second. Speeds even faster than the claims of 70mbps can be obtained.

Wimax operates on the same general principle as Wifi and is not intended to replace Wifi but to enhance it. The intent of Wimax is to connect hot spots together to create a large range of coverage area. With the implementation of what is Wimax, rural areas will have access to broadband technology as well as those urban locations that are not covered by cable technology.

What is Wimax Capabilities

Listen to this amazing information: mobile Wimax can provide a streaming video to be broadcast from a speeding vehicle, say an emergency vehicle that is traveling over 70 MPH. The mobile Wimax technology also provides excellent signal availability indoors where Wifi often fell short on that ability. The mobile Wimax technology penetrates concrete, brick and steel walls.

Not only does Wimax provide super fast and amazingly far network capability but it also boasts carrier grade quality and security. This is comforting information as Wifi falls short on the security and safety aspects of broadband service. 500M worldwide users agree with this statement as well, he once got hacked using a Wifi hotspot and resulted in his having to purchase an entirely new system

What is Wimax Coverage

It is predicted that 1 billion people will be utilizing Wimax technology by the end of 2011 and that Wimax networks will reach up to 66% of residents in the US providing them with broadband service by the year 2013.

Please Contact Us if you are still asking yourself, What is Wimax.

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