Mindfu

Phones like the HTC Evo 4G are the beginning of the 4G revolution in the US. But what exactly does that mean? What does 4G mean to you and me?

4G is referring to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. Most phones in the US in 2010 are running on a 3G network. Each time there is an expansion in the fundamental nature of the service, when new features become available, the mobile carriers make the move to the next generation.

4G, refers to a shift to all-IP packet-switched networks, mobile ultra-fast broadband (gigabit speed) access and multi-carrier transmission. This is expected to provide a more comprehensive and secure all-IP based system where facilities such as IP telephony, ultra-broadband Internet access, gaming services and streamed multimedia may be provided to users.

A big problem is that the internet is quickly running out of IP addresses. The current system relies on Network Address Translation (NAT), a method of sharing a limited number of addresses among a larger group of devices. By moving to more complicated IPv6 address system, they will be able to support a larger number of wireless-enabled devices, by increasing the number of IP addresses.

Although countries like Korea and Japan have been using 4G for several years now, the US is expected to be catching up soon. Sprint will probably be the first to roll out 4G features, as they are currently the only 4G Network in the United States.