4G technology

Introduction to 4G technology

A descendant to 2G and 3G technology aiming to provide the very high data transfer rates. 4G technology provides very speedy wireless internet access to not only stationary users but also to the mobile users. This technology is expected to trounce the deficiencies of 3G technology in terms of speed and quality. 4G can be best described in one word “MAGIC”, which stands for Mobile multimedia Anytime Anywhere Global mobility support, integrated wireless and personalized services.

MAGIC of 4G Technology

So far there has been no specific definition to this successor of 2G and 3G. However it has been used often to denote a fast internet access available to mobile phone users. More over the distinguishing feature of high multimedia streaming and end to end IP configuration is judged to be its MAGIC enchantment. 3G utilized WiMax and WiFi as separate wireless technologies, whereas 4G Technology is expected to coalesce these two technologies. Hence one can evaluate how efficient it would become when combining two extremely reliable technologies. 4G can greatly anticipate in evolving and advancing the pervasive computing. The aim of pervasive computing is to attach itself to every living space possible, so that human beings remain intact with the wireless technology intentionally and unintentionally. Therefore 4G will be able to connect various high speed networks together, which would  enable each one of us to carry digital devices even in dispersed locations.   The network operators worldwide would be able to deploy wireless mesh networks and make use of cognitive radio technology for widespread coverage and access.

The image above is self explanatory, it can tell the difference within the technology (3G) we are living in right now and what thrill can we expect from 4G technology. 4g technology keeps full potential to make us forget the way we use internet today, on our laptops and on moving devices such as mobile phones and tablet devices. It is going to remove all the barriers of speed & bandwidth which will reward every user with high stream data. In 4G HD data will be made available without much of a problem over the internet. These days, websites are designed keeping internet speeds of users in mind. When 4G technology has been deployed, web will be full of High Definition (HD) content and downloading or high quality streaming will not consider any issue at all. All we have to wait & see now, when and how this technology is going to come and bring the change in our daily life internet activity.

Technologies used in 4G technology: (This paragraph is for more technologically advance readers)

4G is a multi purpose and versatile technology hence it can utilize almost all of the packet switched technologies. It can use both orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). OFDM mechanism splits a digital signal into different narrowband and frequencies. The reason why 4G makes use of this technology lies in its ability to minimize the intervention among symbols and channels associated to data streaming. 4G is also capable of using multiple input / multiple output technology (MIMO). This antenna technology is used to optimize the data speed and reduce the errors in the networks. Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) which is basically a broadband 3G technology, is also a part of 4G. This broadband technology transfers data in the form of frames or packets. Hence it is capable of carrying voice, video, text and other types of multimedia datagram with the speed of 2Mb. UMTS is part of 4G because it can enables 4G to make use of international mobile phone roaming via using GSM (Global system for Mobile Communications). Another wireless telecommunication technology known as time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) provides support to 4G to transfer both circuit switched data like video and voice and packet switched data.

4G’s New Horizon of Opportunities

The telecommunication companies like NTT Docomo from Japan and Sprint Nextel were also deploying 4G wireless technologies from the early 2006 along with 3G mobile technologies. The flexibility of 4G technologies to be used in combination with GSM and CDMA has provided it an edge over other technologies. The reason is that the high broadband capability of 4G not only increases data streaming for stationary users but also for mobile users. 4G can be efficiently combined with cellular technologies to make consistent use of smart phones. The digital cameras attached in smart phones can be used to establish video blogs in scattered geographical regions. This gives the manufactures the opportunity to produce more affordable user friendly 4G compatible devices. Famous iPod is one such device that supports the working of video blogs. Hence 4G is capable of providing new horizon of opportunity for both existing and startup telephone companies.