Super-fast Internet is coming

[CoolBreeze]

Known as the LTE (Long Term Evolution), the latest buzzword to hit the town offers the fastest wireless connection at a jaw-dropping download speed of one gigabit per second or up to 500 times faster than the speed of home broadband.

LTE is tagged as the next step in mobile user experience, a follow-through to the existing third-generation cellular network or 3G and its faster variant, the HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access).

Because of its warp-speed connection, LTE proponents are saying that users can enjoy the use of richer mobile applications such as interactive mobile video blogging and advanced gaming, among others.

In the latest technology report from Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) dated Jan. 12, the industry group reported that 180 operators in 70 countries have already made investments in support for LTE. Among them are Philippines’ leading telecom operators.

To date, 17 commercial LTE networks were already launched in Norway, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Poland, US, Austria, Sweden, Hong Kong, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Estonia and Japan.

“At least 64 LTE networks are anticipated to be in commercial service by end 2012,” GSA added.

“Due to increased speed and reduced latency, LTE networks enable video streaming which also attracts new professional users, for example TV broadcasters and public safety organizations,” it added.

“All existing 3G technologies can harmonize to LTE. With LTE, we have one single global standard, which in turn will secure and drive even higher economies of scale and also simplify roaming,” GSA said.

Despite this, we shouldn’t pin all our hopes on LTE.

It is likely that a full commercial LTE deployment will not happen very soon here as most of the mobile connections in developing countries are forecast to continue riding on the existing 3G and HSDPA technology platform.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php ... t&id=24639

[AmpedNow]

"True" 4G is still years away... This stuff being advertised now is actually more like 3.5G. Still much faster than current 3G, but nowhere near those speeds.

BTW, isn't it good to know that much of WV is now two generations behind everyone else in mobile broadband technology? Many are still stuck with the obsolete, decade-old 1X/EDGE networks.

At this rate, WV will have 4G by 2030, when it will no longer be considered "blazing fast".

[Bob Campbell]

One day maybe we'll have as good an internet as...EVERY OTHER FREAKIN' COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!

Sorry, did my frustration bleed through?

[jag]

Just a wee bit, Bob...just a wee bit!