4G, or fourth generation is the latest form of mobile telecommunication standard, the heir to 3G (third generation). This should provide high-speed mobile broadband access to 4G mobile phones, laptops, tablets and PCs connected to a USB modem and a host of 4G enabled mobile gadgets.

Of the two standards that have been part of 4G - WiMAX and LTE, LTE appears to have taken over as the leading contender. 4G have supplied stated download speeds greater than 100Mbps and upload speeds above 50Mbps. With these speeds in mind, forthcoming 4G LTE mobile devices could achieve up to 5x the speeds of 3G with HSPA.

One can visibly see that the future is bright for the next generation of technological advancements in communications. A hugely important thing to be aware of before the official adaption of 4G is that the US and the UK do not use the same operators. The problem with having different operators is that there are characteristics in the UK version that the US version does not have and vice versa. In the US, the operator is WiMAX while in the UK, it is LTE. The main difference between the two is that LTE has more choices to restrict bandwidth than WiMAX.

What is LTE? LTE technology can be put to use easily and can supply high data rates with low latencies across very long distances. Known as 4G (fourth generation), it is superior than 3G systems. For example, preliminary results show the 4G network can easily attain data download speeds of nearly 16 Mbps, as opposed to around 1 Mbps for 3G connections. The average upload speed for the 4G system is about 1.5 Mbps, compared with 0.7 Mbps for the 3G.

LTE networks are much easier to make use of than its predecessors. Its network architecture is much easier because it is merely a network that is packet switched. The system does not have the capability to handle SMS and voice calls inherently. Those kinds of services are usually handled by networks that are circuit-switched, such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM.

The Simplified Architecture Evolution (SAE) of the LTE is basically a simpler kind of the architecture which is currently used by the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). The UMTS dictates a comprehensive network system which includes the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), as well as the core Mobile Application Part (MAP) network. It also validates users through their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.

What is WiMAX? WiMAX is an acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This technology works on wireless MAN basics. You need a definite IP address to access broadband on this platform. The price of expansion is cut and broadband can be provided to a greater number of customers. Only a few configurations are required to improve the network rather than investment in equipment.

Mobile WiMAX platform allows you to move with your mobile device and still connect to internet services so long as you are inside the designated zone. Institutions, campuses and municipalities utilise this system efficiently to supply large communities. The areas are referred to as hot spots. This design does not require use of a cable framework.

WiMAX is an economical choice and has made it available to offer internet to isolated and sparsely inhabitated areas. Required infrastructure is easy and cost-effective to lay down. It is not affected by human activity like cuts or natural calamities such as floods. Broadband is accessible on mobile phones. You only require to stay within the hot spot.