Ten Most Significant Events in the History of 4G Wireless
Fourth Generation Wireless, what we commonly have badged as "4G", has only been around for a few years, yet it's become part of the average users technology vocabulary. This has been perhaps faster than any other mobile communications technology, even quicker than "3G" did, thanks in part to the hundreds of millions of dollars the "Big Four" (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile) wireless providers have spent recently on advertising - each seeming to claim the "biggest" 0r "largest" or even "most reliable" 4G Networks.
Let take a look at some major or significant events in the brief five year history of 4G wireless. Perhaps they'll offer some insight into what 4G is, and how it evolved into the most promising high speed wireless network technologies for mobile device users of all walks of life.
10) May 9th 2012:
Sierra Wireless releases 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot
A Mobile Hotspot designed by Sierra Wireless exclusively for connection on the Sprint Network, the device paves the way for laptop and tablet entry into LTE that will bring heavier data use to the network. More importantly, its the first wireless device to work with all three 4G technologies: LTE, HSPA+, and WiMax
9) Summer 2011
AT&T Markets First the LTE Devices
AT&T begins marketing its faster 4G LTE network with the HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket, both Android powered devices. The phones can access networks via both LTE and HSPA+ 4G protocols for seamless connectivity inside and out of areas of LTE coverage; an advantage at a time when many 4G networks remain under construction. Although Verizon, AT&T's nemesis of sorts, had at least a year head start on promoting 4G LTE, this is significant due to the fact that it ushers in the new generation of competition for 4G wireless between the major wireless carriers.
8) Spring 2012
AT&T significantly expands it's large scale deployment of 4G LTE coverage in North America
AT&T expands their 4G LTE network to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Naples and over 20 other metro area in the Southern United States. As of May,2012, over 35 metro areas are online with LTE from AT&T. This development highlights how the LTE technology will soon dominate most urban areas, but also the limits of such coverage and how these limits had been previously cloaked by the ability of devices to utilize multiple networks. AT&T's challenge will be to make their infrastructure investments visible to the consumer in a time of multiple connectivity options.
7) April 2006
World First Commercial 4G Network is turned on
KT Wireless deploys and expands the 4G network in Busan, South Korea, to cover extended sections of South Korea. It is the worlds first commercial mobile 4G service in Seoul, South Korea, and becomes the testbed and object of keen interest for wireless providers around the world.
6) January 26th 2008
AT&T and Verizon acquire the additional spectrum needed to build out their North American 4G networks.
An FCC auction redistributing frequencies formerly assigned to analog television begins with the lion share of the spectrum falling into the hands of Verizon Wireless. The second largest winner of airspace is AT&T, forecasting intense competition between the networks for 4G customers that would reach its peak 3 months later. Both companies will support the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard.
5) November 12th 2008
The First 4G Mobile Device Hits Store Shelves
HTC announces the first 4G compatible wireless device. Mobile Phone manufacturer HTC announces the production of the Max 4G. It is the first 4G phone on the market and makes use of the WiMAX protocol. It retails for the equivalent of $800 and runs the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. The Max 4G goes on sale in December 2008.
4) December 2009
The beginning of the "4G Wars" Among the Major Wireless Providers
Sprint begins advertising 4G in earnest: Sprint begins targeting select US cities with 4G specific advertising. Download speeds are only 3-6Mbit/s with peak speeds of 10Mbit/s, much slower than expected. The network is as of yet incomplete and only fully functional in certain areas. This event is significant due to the fact that it marks the start of the era of competitive 4G promotion and advertising among the major wireless providers.
3) June 2010 FCC
First Emergency Network Built on 4G Approved by the FCC
Wireless 4G is deemed stable enough that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publishes a white paper outlining the comparative safety and robustness of a 4G network for use by first responders. The network would allow emergency personnel to communicate across boundaries and devices, and facilitate interactive maps, video, and other tools to assist emergency personnel.
2) October 2011
iPhone 4S on AT&T begins taking advantage of 4G
Apple releases the iOS 5.1 update, a software upgrade that grants the iPhone 4S, a previously 3G only device, pseudo 4G capabilities. The update enhances the speed of the device, but does not allow it to partially exploit the potential of the 4G AT&T networks. The update works by leveraging AT&T HSPA+ 4G network, and allows AT&T's iPhone customers to double download speeds on average in some cases - up to approximately 7 Mpbs
1) April 2012
Reliable Sources Report iPhone 5 to be a True 4G Device
Multiple reliable "inside source" news and information outlets reports that Apple, one of the world's largest and most popular smart phone manufactures will make the iPhone 5 a fully 4G based device. This would be the first genuine 4G offering from the tech giant to date. The massive popularity of the iPhone means that the release of the iPhone 5 will likely usher in an unprecedented wave of 4G enabled smart phones and mobile broadband devices. The iPhone 5 reportedly will utilize each providers 4G technology, including 4G LTE , HSPA+, and WiMax.
Review of the new Mobile Broadband Offerings from NetZero
NetZero is famous for providing free dial-up Internet access back when it was the only option available to get online. Now they’re back and they’ve adjusted their products to suit the needs of consumers on the go with the NetZeroMobile Hotspot. They offer a number of different plans to suit the surfing needs of every individual, five to be exact. The plans don’t require a contract and the pricing and speed are both competitive enough to rival some of the other more established and well-known mobile broadband options on the market.
The first plan available to use with the NetZero mobile hotspot is the free plan. (yes, it's really free) It is the most restrictive plan available and allows users up to 20MB of data each month. It is most ideal if it is only going to be used sparingly or if the only things you need to do include browsing a few websites or checking email while out and about. It especially good for those that use text-based activites online, like sending SMS or email that doesn't contain images. It is worth noting that this plan is only good for one year and if a customer switches from the free plan and upgrades to one of the paid ones, they cannot downgrade at all and must remain with one of the paid plans.
The second plan is called the NetZero Basic Plan and increases the monthly data allowance up to 500 MB. It costs $9.95 each month. The NetZero Plus plan is in the middle of the range data plan. The Plus plan costs $19.95 per month and it increases the monthly data allowance up to 1,000 MB (1 GB) and is better suited if you anticipate needing to use the Internet more often and think that the 200 or 500 MB plan won’t offer enough data usage for you.
The fourth wireless 4G data plan is the Netzero Pro Plan for use with the NetZero mobile hotspot - this plan offers up to 2 GB of data each month. It costs $34.95 and is ideal if you want to look at a lot of photographs or watch a moderate amount of Non-HD streaming video through sites such as Hulu or YouTube. Last but not least is the Platinum Plan for $49.95/month. It caps the data usage at 4 GB each month. If you want to share the connection between a few different people or expect that your usage is going to exceed the amounts available in the lower plans, you’ll want to opt for the plan with more data available. The primary benefit that NetZero mobile hotspot has over some other companies is no contract requirement, regardless of the plan that is selected. This is ideal if you don’t want to be tied down to a provider for two years, which is the typical requirement that most mobile hotspot providers require in order for you to obtain service in the first place.
The speeds of the plans offered with the NetZero mobile hotspot are comparable to other providers. It averaged approximately 4 to 8 Mbps download speed in tests conducted in multiple cities where the service is available, which makes it on the same level as other 4G providers (with the exception of the new 4G LTE). The upload speed was much slower, with an average between 0.60 and 1.5 Mbps, but is roughly the same proportionately lower speed found on most other 3G, any a few 4G mobile Internet connection, when comparing download to upload speeds.
Great News if You Live in a NetZero Covered 4G Metro Area ... Not so much if you don't : (
NetZero coverage is limited to certain metro areas only, which happen to be 80 cities and metro-areas across the United States. This is bad news if you planned on getting it and want to use it in a smaller town or rural area. They are operating by reselling Clearwire’s WiMx 4G network, which is the same as Sprints 4G Network, since both utilize Clear's 4G infraatructure. Since it is limited to Clearwire, it does not fall back to 3G coverage if a 4G signal cannot be obtained clearly. This severely limits who has access to the service. NetZero offers the ability to check for coverage in your area directly on their website at www.netzero.com. Simply enter in your zip code and the map will zoom in and show you whether or not you’re in a covered area. This factor obviously cuts off a large potential user base that many would assume is a "questional" business strategy, however to NetZero's credit, they're doing the best given what they have to work with.
Couple this with the fact that sources (as of 2012) have reported that Clearwire will not longer expand WiMax beyond it's current footprint, might make a NetZero wireless customer a bit nervous about investing in "end of life" WiMax technology and hardware, like the NetZero 4G WiMax Mobile Hotspot.
The NetZero USB 4G Cellular Modem
Mobile access from NetZero is available in two different forms. The first is the USB stick that you insert into an empty USB port on your desktop or laptop computer. This is commonly referred to as a cellular modem or wireless wireless broadband dongle. It is the best choice to use if the connectivity is going to be limited to a single user who primarily uses a laptop to get online. It is lightweight and measures only .5 inches long, 1-inch wide and 3 inches tall with a weight of 1.2 ounces. It can be purchased directly from the NetZero website for $49.95 and works with any of the five plans. It works with both PCs and Macs, although the system requirements differ slightly. If accessing the Internet from a PC, you need to have windows XP or higher, a processor with at least 300 MHz, 256 MB of RAM and 65 MB of hard drive space. On a Mac, you’ll need to be running Mac OS X 10.5 or later, have an Intel based 1 GHz or higher processor, 1 GB of RAM and 25 MB of hard drive space.
NetZero 4G Mobile Hotspot
The NetZero 4G Hotspot is the newest and one of the most appealing 4G mobile hotspots available today, since it allows up to 8 people or Wi-Fi enabled devices to connect at the same time - almost all other mobile hotspots offer only 5 connections. It’s more ideal than the USB stick if you need to connect laptops, netbooks, iPads, tablets and smartphones to the Internet all at once. It costs $99.95 to buy and also works with any of the five mobile Internet plans the NetZero offers. It measures 3 .4 inches long, 3.4 inches wide and .7 inches tall with a weight of just 4.44 ounces. It operates on a 2,200mAh battery that offers a little over six hours of continuous usage. A computer or other Internet-enabled device needs to have Wi-Fi connectivity to access the Internet and it offers a range of up to 150 feet. The interface of the mobile hotspot device is beautifully simple - it only has two buttons on it. One powers the device on and off and the other mutes it. It also has an available port for external antennae if you need to boost reception for a clearer signal. Another key feature is the 2-inch LCD on the front, which is responsible for displaying the device’s battery life, data transferred, how many devices are connected, the SSID, signal strength and how long it has been connected.
How Does NetZero Compare Against other No-Contract Providers?
DataJack is another prepaid option and charges $89.99 for their mobile hotspot device, but restricts access to only five devices at once. It is also available without a contract. In the lower tiers NetZero offers a better deal, especially since DataJack charges $9.99 for the same data available on NetZero’s free plan. They also charge $19.99 for 500MB, which can be purchased from NetZero for half the price. Their speeds are also limited to 3G connectivity.
The other prepaid option is through Virgin Mobile. Their MiFi 2200 costs $109 and is available without a contract. It limits connectivity to up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices at once and utilizes Sprint’s mobile 3G network. They have a $10/10 day plan with 200MB of data and a $20/month plan, which provides 500 MB of data usage. They do offer an unlimited usage plan for $50/month with 3G speeds up to 2.5GB of data usage. However, once this limit is exceeded, mobile data speeds will be reduced by a reported 50% to 90%, or approximately 0.10 Mbps to 0.75 Mbps - in other words, not much faster than old-fashioned 2G wireless.
NetZero vs. the Major Providers Contract Offerings
Other options are also available for web connectivity, but they require contracts. Verizon offers their 4G mobile hotspot known as the Jetpack for only $49.99, but they require you to sign a 2-year contract. It allows up to 10 devices to connect at once and provides 4G speeds. They require you to select from their 5GB plan for $50/month or the 10GB plan for $80/month. The big difference with Verizon is their unmatched 4G LTE coverage, with speeds up to an astonishing 20 Mbps in over 240 metro areas in North America.
Sprint offers a mobile hotspot option as well, which also requires signing a 2-year contract. The device is free and offers four hours of battery powered usage with an estimated 60-hour standby time. Sprint plans start at $34.99 for the 3GB plan and increase to $49.99 for the 6GB/month plan. The highest plan is the 12GB/month plan for $79.99. Contrary to popular beliefs that Sprint offers "Unlimited Data" - that is not true for mobile broadband devices like mobile hotspots. Contract customers exceeding their monthly limit are access charges of $50 per GB. This has resulted in a large number of angry Sprint customers that have data use bills over $500 per month!
T-Mobile provides a 4G hotspot with a 2-year contract as well. It costs nothing up front and the cheapest plan begins at $39.99 for 2GB of data. You can upgrade to the 5GB plan for $49.99 or the 10GB plan for $79.99/month.T-Mobile does not offer users that ability for customers to simply pay for data over-use as does AT&T, Sprint and Verizon - T-Mobile simply reduces the speed from 4G to 2G for the remainder of the billing cycle.
Good old AT&T - What do they offer?AT&T also require you to sign a 2-year contract, but charge $69.99 for the mobile hotspot device needed to utilize the service. It offers 4G speeds but restricts the plan to one option, the $50/month plan, which offers up to 5GB of data usage. Overage charges are assessed at $10 per GB, same a Verizon.
The NetZero mobile hotspot is an ideal option if you need to get access to the web on the go without being tied down with a contract. If you’re expecting to use huge amounts of data (ie. 5+ GB's per month) , it may not be the most cost-effective method but has potential for the average web surfer to enjoy streaming video and music on an average use pattern. Its availability is also limited to some of the larger cities where 4G coverage is offered.
The Jetpack 4G LTE Prepaid Moblile Hotspot
Verizon entered the prepaid market in a big way on May 1st. The Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE prepaid plan is much more than a hot phone. The Jetpack is a complete portable network takes work and play on the go to the next level without committing to an expensive call and data plan.
Their newest device, the Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L is a beefier version of the older Jetpack 4150L. It allows users to create a completely mobile Wi-Fi network capable of supporting up to 10 wireless capable devices. Users will immediately enjoy the 4GLTE advantage with mobile broadband speeds up to ten times faster than 3G.
Verizon’s next generation mobile hotspot works at super fast 4G speeds anywhere within the Verizon footprint and automatically connects to 3G if a 4G connection is unavailable. This is especially useful for working in remote locations or when on vacation.
The Jetpack 4G LTE is an attractive and user-friendly cellular modem with easy read 1.5-inch black and white OLED screen, LED indicator lights and an external antenna port. The device easily fits in your pocket at 3.76 x 2.36 x 0.53 inches and weighing a bit over 3 ounces.
The Jetpack 4G LTE prepaid mobile hotspot retails for just $269.99. If you buy it online at Verizon.com and commit to a 2 year contract you can get it for as low as $49. The new Jetpack has several data plans for users who do not want a long term contract.
For occasional use you can purchase service by the week, 250 MB, for only $15. Two monthly plans are also available. For $60 users can purchase 3G of data and 10G is only $90.
The device features typical download speeds of up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2-5 Mbps. It is compatible with 4G SIM cards and includes a long life 1500mAh lithium battery. There is no software to install, just buy your Jetpack and activate it for a week or month and you are ready to go.
You can get them from Verizonwireless.com or at your neighborhood Verizon Wireless retail outlet. Look for the Jetpack 4G LTE soon on the shelf at your local Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Radio Shack stores.
System Requirements
Verizon’s Jetpack works with Windows 7, Windows XP and OS® X 10.4.0 or higher. It uses Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity and comes with a 4G SIM card. To connect it to a computer you will need to have Wi-Fi installed and one Type–A USB port–for s/w updates. They recommend only using the USB port for installing software updates. Get the Jetpack today and take work, play and all your connections wherever you go.
