Mobile Broadband

4G Mobile Broadband

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The next stage of mobile broadband - known as 4G, or fourth generation - is set to deliver superfast speeds and an always-on connection. But when will 4G hit the UK?

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Current mobile broadband speeds

At present, mobile broadband offers speeds of up to 14.4Mb on Vodafone Broadband's (www.Vodafone.co.uk) network. However, this is a theoretical maximum that’s only available in major cities. Even when connected to this faster network, Vodafone estimates that users would receive an actual speed of between 1Mb and 4Mb.

The current 3G networks are already being strained by the millions of customers that access the internet using a mobile broadband dongle or mobile phone.

The benefits of 4G mobile broadband

Using technology called Long Term Evolution (LTE), mobile broadband can be taken to the next level. 4G mobile broadband offers the potential for actual speeds of between 15Mb and 30Mb - with a maximum of up to 100Mb.

4G would also eliminate the download allowance issue. LTE technology is far more efficient than the 3G mobile broadband networks currently in place, meaning that networks wouldn’t become clogged up with users as millions of people sign up and log on.

At the moment, transferring data over 3G is still quite expensive, and providers offer tariffs ranging from 500MB a month on Orange Mobile Broadband's (www.Orange.co.uk) cheapest monthly tariff, to 15GB from 3 Broadband (www.Three.co.uk). Moving up to a 4G network would change all that.

4G technologies are moving forward all the time, but it is believed that it could offer:

• Speeds of 15Mb to 30Mb and a maximum of up to 100Mb
• The potential for an always-on mobile broadband connection
• Greater efficiency
• Seamless roaming when using your mobile broadband connection abroad
• The ability to connect when travelling at high speeds, in a car or on a train

When will 4G hit the UK?

Despite the benefits of 4G, the question of when it will hit the UK is still unanswered.

The Digital Britain report suggested that parts of the spectrum could be handed over for 4G use, but that has been delayed. Also, mobile broadband providers paid billions of pounds for the right to use the 3G networks, and are still trying to recoup those costs.

However, telecoms companies in Sweden and Norway recently announced plans for the first commercial 4G networks in Europe to go live in 2010, and there are talks of developing 4G networks in Ireland and Spain.

American broadband provider Verizon is also set to roll out LTE systems in the States in 2010.

Compare current mobile broadband providers

Supplier	Package details	Speed (up to)	1st year cost	Monthly charge	Download limit	Go
	Pay and Go	4Mb	Pay as you go	Pay as you go	3GB

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