Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/58400
A 4G Testing Saga contractual data limit that was reasonably similar to our current monthly data usage at a cost approximately equal to our current monthly spending. Despite many email messages and phone calls back and forth, we failed to reach an agreement within our testing period. We even considered switching carriers, as other carriers offer some forms of data pooling for enterprise customers, but their LTE networks were not yet implemented in our area. Plus, we already had a lot of time and money invested in our current 3G solution and were still under contract with our current carrier. Our last order of laptops were ordered with 3G CDMA broadband cards. For now we will utilize the available 4G mobile- hotspot devices (Mi-Fi devices) and a select few internal 4G broadband cards for data-intensive scenarios (and for those who have dedicated, always-active broadband cards). 4G for the Future Primarily because the new 4G networks are using standard IP addressing, new services are emerging that bridge the gap between mobile and internal networks. Many carriers offer static IP addressing, IP address ranges and even VPN tunnels without additional software between mobile users and office networks. Enterprise-level data encryption between cellular data towers and devices is also becoming available. We can now begin to consider mobile users as being on a remote LAN and not a dial-in VPN. As for the future of 4G broadband at our firm, we will wait until pooled data plans become more of a norm or reprogrammable SIM cards are introduced. I expect, due to the trend of increasing data network speeds and usage, corporate pooled plans will become the next big thing, and when our contract is up for renewal, the negotiation will have better results. The Not-So-Amazing 4G Race The wireless carrier race to implement a 4G network has been one of deception, trickery and marketing hype. Cellular carriers are using 4G to signify the fourth generation of their wireless network, but the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has pre-established guidelines and requirements for 4G networks, which the current 4G networks do not yet meet. The ITU sets the speed requirement for a 4G network as 100Mbps during peak times and 1Gbps during nonpeak times, which has been the leading disqualifying reason for the recent self-proclaimed 4G networks. The "pre-4G" networks of today, as the ITU refers to them, are summarized below: • LTE (Long Term Evolution): This is based on GSM and HSPA technology. In the United States, LTE will use the 700Mhz and 1700Mhz frequencies, while internationally, the 1800Mhz will be predominant, with carriers in some countries also using the 800Mhz and 2600Mhz. The LTE network is an IP-only network with download speeds up to 300Mbps and upload speeds of 75Mbs. LTE network technology as implemented today is considered pre-4G by the ITU, although the ITU is already reviewing planned improvements to the LTE network technology — LTE-Advanced, as it will be called — for 4G certification. • Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) Mobile: Similar in technology to Wi-Fi networks, WiMax utilizes two to 10 gigahertz frequencies and is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 75Mbps and supports IP data networks. WiMax is also considered a pre-4G network by ITU standards, but should be able to support true 4G speeds in the future. Due to a lack of adoption by cellular carriers, many previous supporters of WiMax as a mobile technology have abandoned WiMax for LTE network technology. It should be noted that WiMax will likely be used by ISPs to deploy broadband networks and WLAN. • HSPA+: HSPA+, a direct performance enhancement to the existing HSPA 3G network technology, won the award for the laziest approach to a 4G network. The data rate of HSPA+ is 84Mbps download and 22Mbps upload, so it also falls short of the ITU criteria. The HSPA+ network supports IP. Many carriers used HSPA+ as an interim network technology before beginning the switch to LTE. In short, what was started as a marketing race with three proclaimed 4G networks is now boiling down to a single network technology — LTE. This is something to keep in mind when purchasing a 4G device for a long-term solution. ILTA White Paper 25