Running head: 4G WIRELESS NETWORKS 1

4G Wireless Networks

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Introduction

The emergency of 3G technology has always been linked to the, introduction of smart

phones. However, as mobile technology continues to develop, wireless technology is also

changing. The modern consumer is technologically knowledgeable and continues to demand

more and more wireless connectivity.

Similarities and Differences between 3G Wireless and 4G Networks

The use of smart phones is primary driven by the applications and services that these

devices offer. These services were first provided through 3G wireless network. For the first time,

consumers could make video calls with members of their family on the go, stream videos and

movies and even conduct meetings through video conferences. 4G has improved on then services

and applications of 3G. It has enabled smart phone users to access online information at speeds

similar to those of computers. Because of 4G, consumers are able to play video games on the

move, watch live sporting events such as the world cup and receive HD mobile television on the

go. Services provided by 4G networks include LTE-Advance and Wimax2, while 3G networks

have services such as Edge, UMTS, and CDMA (Kumar, 2013).

In terms of network architecture, 3G networks are mainly wide area cellular networks

that use a circuit-switched subsystem. They depend on big satellite connections that are

connected to cellular towers. When a data request or a call is made, a signal is sent to a cellular

tower, the information is then relayed to the central switching equipment through a wide area

network. The switching equipment then executes the request. On the other hand, a 4G network

integrates both Wide Area and wireless LAN (Cisco, 2011). Unlike 3G that uses a circuit-

switched subsystem, 4G networks are purely based on packet Internet Protocol system. For 4G
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networks, data requests are transmitted through microwave technology. It is more efficient than

3G because network downtime is limited (Kumar, 2013).

The two networks also differ in terms of their data throughput. For 3G networks, the

throughput rate reaches a maximum of 3.1 megabytes per second (Mbps) for bandwidths of

between 5 and 20 MHz. On the other hand, for 3G throughput rate ranges between 100 and 300

megabytes per second for bandwidths of 100MHz and above (Kumar, 2013).

In terms of user perceptions, users of 3G wireless are generally happy with the service.

This may because of several factors that include its wide availability and the fact that 3G devices

have better battery life. For 4G, users were initially dissatisfied with frequent outrages and lack

of national coverage. At present, all wireless carriers in the U.S. offer 4G; however, consumers

have realized that each 4G services are not the same among all carriers. Users who are only

interested in steaming videos and music and infrequent television watching, are more concerned

with the cost than with the speed (Kumar, 2013).

Differences Between 4G LTE, 4G WiMax, and 4G WiBro Networks

4G LTE is majorly offered by Verizon Wireless; it provides download speeds of 100

Mbps and uploads of 50 Mbps (Penttinen, 2011). The 4G WiMax is mainly offered by Sprint. It

offers download speeds of 70 Mbps and upload speeds of 30 Mbps. 4G WiBro is offered as a

substitute to WiMax. It supports upload and download speeds of up to 30 Mbps depending on

how close the user is to the antenna (Hanzo, Akhtman, Jiang & Wang, 2013).

Generally, many users in the United States have adopted 4G technologies that are

currently available in the market, and many are quite pleased with the service offerings. They

are able to stream music and watch videos at speeds that were not possible in the past. Despite

this progress, some users experience outrages in their 4G services, while others completely have
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no access to these services, especially those living outside the main metropolitan areas. However,

as industry players continue to build their 4G capabilities and install more towers, these

problems are likely to be solved (Hanzo, Akhtman, Jiang & Wang, 2013).

One major advantage of some 4G devices is their backward compatibility with 3G

technologies. WiMax and 4G LTE are all backward compatible. However, WiBro 4G was not

developed 3G network and lacks a 3G predecessor. To benefit from the enhanced capabilities

offered by 4G, consumers had to upgrade from 3G devices to 4G devices. Backward compatible

technologies such as those of LTE allow consumers to revert to 3G whenever they are out of 4G

coverage (Penttinen, 2011).

In terms of availability of service, as at 2014, 4G LTE that is offered by Verizon covered

97% of the U.S. population (Verizon Wireless, 2014) On the other hand, 4G WiMax offered by

Sprint covers approximately a third of the U.S., although they are planning to begin offer both

LTE technology and WiMax in the future. WiBro is dedicated to Korea to meets the whole

country`s 4G requirements.

Reasons for the Fierce Competition among LTE Carriers and Benefits to Consumers

One of the main factors that explain the stiff competition between carriers is the existence

of mobile brands with speeds that directly compete with companies that offer fixed line

technologies. The second reason is that corporates that have some of their branches in remote

locations are increasingly adopting wireless networks either as their primary connection or to

back up their existing Wide Areas Network connections. With the increased demand, LTE

carriers have seen this as a money making opportunity, and every company is doing its best to

capture a lion share of the growing market. Similarly, many countries across the globe are

increasingly adopting wireless technology to increase access of telephone services, particularly

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in remote areas wired telephone infrastructure has not been installed or lost due to vandalism.

These factors have in turn resulted in increased competition. Users have benefited from this

competition in a number of ways. To begin with, the existence of several LTE carriers has driven

down prices, with companies charging competitive prices for their data plans to attract many

subscribers. Secondly, the stiff competition has forced carriers to improve on the quality of their

services to prevent customers from switching. Consequently, carriers are making daily

improvements in their systems to the benefit of subscribers. In addition, with the stiff

competition, every carrier is expanding to new areas, which has spread the benefits to many

geographical markets in the United States.

Reason`s for Verizon`s Expansive Coverage

Verizon was the first company in the U.S. market to offer 4G services. As a result it had a

first-mover advantage that permitted it to widen its presence. Secondly, at the start, the company

gave its customers unlimited data plans and the latest smart devices with data, which

significantly increased its number of subscribers. In addition, the company reached many

subscribers by partnering with third-party resellers to sell its products and services.

Conclusion

With the growing technological advancement, mobile devices and wireless networks are

constantly being improved in terms of their capabilities. Already consumers have transitioned

from 3G network to 4G network; it is only a matter of time before another new wireless

technology hits the market.

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References

Cisco. (2011).Managed 4G LTE WAN: provide cost-effective wireless broadband service.

Retrieved on 25 July 2014, from: <http://www.knauer-inc.com/PDF/Managed%204G

%20LTE%20WAN%20Service.pdf>

Hanzo, L., Akhtman, J., Jiang, M. & Wang, L. (2013). MIMO-OFDM for LTE, WIFI and Wimax.

Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.

Kumar, A. (2013). Comparison of 3g wireless networks and 4g wireless networks. International

Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering, 6(1), 1-8.

Penttinen, J. (2011). The LTE. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

Verizon Wireless. (2014). America's Largest 4G LTE Network. Retrieved on 25 July 2014, from:

<http://www.verizonwireless.com/wcms/consumer/4g-lte.html>