Are We Prepared For 4G?
After the successful implementation of the 3G technology, the time has come for the deployment of 4G technology for communication purpose. Access to 4G is one of the highly hyped features of iPhone 5. Carriers have spent lots of funds to prepare the ground for 4G.
Through 4G, it is possible to enhance the capacity and to offer very high speed network connections. Now, carriers are eagerly waiting to recoup the investment made for 4G accomplishment.
Among various mobile phones, iPhone is one of the firsts to catch up the 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution).
Advantages of 4G LTE
4G access through Smartphone will enhance your entertainment sphere. You will be able to view high definition movies, video chats and movies as if you are accessing from the local drive. You will be able to store various files on the cloud service.
It is true, that these high-end services will not be available without paying the premium. The end users should be prepared to catch up the exorbitant prices. 4G LTE networks have the capability to handle traffic that is 2 times more than 3G.
4G’s Demand in the Future
It is expected that the demand for high-end services (which includes video streaming and cloud computing services) through various high-end gadgets (latest Smartphones and tablets) will increase by 18 times by the year 2016. If carriers offer unlimited 4G services, it will be difficult for them to get back the investment.
Carriers are able to meet the current 4G demand by moving from unlimited plans to limited plans. This will relieve the bandwidth to a certain extent.
If 4G services are very expensive, customers will shift to 3G networks or will explore other alternatives to avoid the brunt of 4G. On the other hand, if the 4G is priced too low, users may experience congestion due to the increase in usage of 4G services.
iPhone 5 Gives Clues
In this context, iPhone 5 will play a definitive role in shaping the future of 4G. It is expected that more than 50 million iPhones are going to be sold in the coming weeks. The craze for 4G depends on how efficiently 4G carriers will be able to handle the sensitive cost factor.
If there is a sudden surge in 4G costs, it will have a negative impact on the purchase of 4G LTE compatible mobile handsets. This will impact the future 4G services as well.
Implications
As carriers had invested billions of dollars in preparation of the ground for 4G, they will explore all possible ways to get back the investment. In this process, all the content owners and distributors are required to feel the punch of 4G accomplishment as the relevant data (movies, songs, photos, docs, etc.) is hosted on 4G networks.
Obviously the content providers will pass on the expenditure to the end users. For example, Amazon has already initiated steps to include the cost component in the basic price of the Kindle Fire tablets.
In order to provide high quality, high speed and highly efficient 4G services, carriers and content providers should come to dialogue to prepare the framework to shape the future of 4G.
Deeptaman Mukherjee is one of those rare names in the Indian blogosphere, who pursues blogging as his hobby. In the 4 years of his blogging experience, he has worked with some of India’s top blogs. He presently blogs at My Portable World and Tech Buzz Online. For any engagements or just to say a Hi, do get in touch with him at Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn. Know more about him, here.
