What is 4G?

4G, or fourth-generation wireless, is the latest stage of broadband mobile communications, which supersedes 3G (third-generation wireless) and precedes 5G (fifth-generation wireless). The 4G wireless cellular standard was defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and outlines the key characteristics of the standard, including transmission technology and data speeds.

Compared to 3G, 4G technology provides faster download speeds and greater network capacity, allowing users to stream high-definition video and audio. With a 4G connection, users can also enjoy wireless broadband, which means they can access the internet without a fixed, wired connection from an internet service provider (ISP).

How Does 4G Work?

4G connections work by transmitting over radio frequencies via an antenna, connecting mobile devices to mobile networks. The transmission and reception of 4G signals are powered by MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technologies. These technologies enable greater capacity and bandwidth than 3G and reduce network congestion.

4G is also an all-IP (internet protocol) based standard for both voice and data, making it more efficient for mobile network providers to operate and optimize compared to using different network technologies for voice and data as in 3G.

What is the Difference Between 4G and 4G LTE?

The distinction between 4G and 4G LTE is more a matter of marketing and the history of the 4G specification. LTE (Long-Term Evolution) was developed as a transitional step between 3G and 4G, offering more bandwidth than 3G without reaching the full bandwidth speed minimum of 100 Mbps promised by 4G. The term LTE is often used in marketing pitches and does not specify a specific speed, which can range from 20 Mbps to 100 Mbps depending on the carrier.

4G LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) is a specific term that refers to a speed of 100 Mbps, which is the same as 4G.

History of 4G

The history of 4G starts in 2008 as the International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced) specification. At that time, no mobile network or cellular carrier was able to achieve the 100 Mbps speed specified by 4G, but there were competing approaches such as LTE and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) that aimed to bridge the gap between 3G and 4G.

Sprint initially backed WiMAX, while Verizon favored LTE. However, by 2011, Sprint switched to supporting LTE, and WiMAX began to fade away. LTE has since increased in speed and performance, with 4G LTE-A technology providing cellular networks with the full 100 Mbps network performance specified by the original IMT-Advanced specification.

Conclusion

4G, or fourth-generation wireless, is the latest stage of broadband mobile communications, providing faster download speeds and greater network capacity than 3G. With a 4G connection, users can enjoy wireless broadband and stream high-definition video and audio. The distinction between 4G and 4G LTE is mostly marketing-based, with LTE serving as an interim step between 3G and 4G. Today, LTE has increased in speed and performance, with 4G LTE-A providing the full 100 Mbps network performance specified by the original 4G standard.