Verizon recently annouced the launch of 4G cell phone service. The buzz word to describe Verizon's version of 4G, or "fourth-generation" cell phone technology is called LTE, Long-Term Evolution.
In August 2010, Wilmington, Delaware was one of a small handful of cities that according to Sprint, would be receiving 4G service. The current Verizon 4G network does not include Delaware.
Verizon 4G is only available in 38 major markets
In Pennsylvania, only the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are listed as having 4G coverage, for Maryland only Baltimore is listed. That leaves a lot of non 4G coverage areas in between for residents of Delaware and the surrounding areas.
4G bandwidth not at full speed
The 4G working group has defined one of the objectives of the 4G wireless communication standard as a data rate of at least 100 Mbps between any two points in the world.
The Verizon 4G LTE speeds, according to Verizon's website, are up to 12 Mbps. That is not a guarantee of 12 Mbps, just that the best possible speed is 12 Mbps.
In December 2009, Sprint began advertising 4G service in selected cities in the United States, despite average download speeds of only 3 to 6 Mbps with peak speeds of 10 Mbps.
If you are currently shopping for a phone, don't get sold features you can not use.
The current 4G system is a long way from the true potential of the fourth generation of wireless. Based on various articles by international telecommunications regulatory and standardization bodies such as IEEE and ITU don't expect full commercial deployment of 4G networks until at least 2012.
Verizon promises nationwide 4G coverage by 2013. Considering that most phone contracts are two years, that means a phone purchased this Christmas, will most likely be replaced before there is nationwide 4G coverage.
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Comments
I might just have to wait for the 5G ;-)
I think I will hold off on jumping to Verizon 4G until they have a wider market and better range.
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