THE hottest technology term you need to know right now is 4G
(next to 3-D, of course). 4G refers to the fourth generation of
wireless mobile standards.
It is the successor to 3G networks, and is being branded as the
revolutionary tool that will allow you to stream videos faster,
play online games on mobile phones with little lag, and even stream
high-definition movies on your mobile phone - all at the same
time.
But here's the catch: 4G will likely be ready earliest only
early next year, according to telcos. MobileOne's (M1) 4G-branded
Long Term Evolution (LTE) network is expected to be ready by the
first quarter of next year. Meanwhile, SingTel has said that its
mobile broadband network will be 'upgraded progressively' over the
next one to two years to LTE.
However, both telcos said that the commercial launch of the
networks will depend on the availability of devices that can
support such network speeds. These devices include 4G mobile
phones, and 4G USB dongles that give mobile computing devices -
like notebooks and netbooks - wireless Internet access through a
SIM card.
But consumers will have to wait to get their hands on these
devices, too. Analysts told my paper that only a handful of 4G
mobile phones will probably start trickling into stores in 2012 or
2013. 4G-ready dongles are likely to hit the market first, they
said.
The pros of 4G are clear - it is said to offer faster surfing
speeds of 100Mbps, about five times faster than current 21Mbps
speeds on 3G networks. 4G networks will also reportedly be able to
support more users.
-- ST