4G communication is touted to provide 10 times the speed of the existing 3G coverage, which brings a whole new world of opportunity to businesses and consumers. The major carriers understand the demand for faster bandwidth in mobile devices, and each has made a move to become the flagship provider of 4G coverage.

How did it all come to pass? What does the future hold for 4G communications for business and consumers? And which provider brings the best in class?

The Dynamic Growth of 4G

The demand for a faster mobile service had been spurred by two major events: the proliferation of smartphones and the demand for streaming services.

3G coverage was enough for a while, since consumers and businesses were still bouncing between their desktops and mobile devices. But then mobile usage skyrocketed, creating high demand for greater speeds and better streaming capabilities. Mobile tech companies understood, and it resulted in the push toward 4G. While it’s still in its early stages, there has been significant improvement in performance.

T-Mobile has a plan to roll out new 4G coverage across their network in many cities, though areas with smaller populations may not see full 4G coverage for some time. The T-Mobile 4G LTE network is actually HSPA+ (or Evolved High-Speed Packet Access, a technical standard for wireless, broadband communication), which isn’t quite 4G LTE (LTE = “longterm evolution”), but it offers comparable speeds, so it’s given the 4G moniker. Other major carriers, including Sprint, AT&T and Verizon, already began their push into 4G territory.

The 4G Impact

The introduction of 4G on the consumer level gives anyone with a mobile device and coverage the ability to take advantage of any number of apps and streaming services. 4G consumers can stream almost any kind of content at blazing-fast speeds and without much interruption. Coverage has expanded, so subscribers can access their network in the most remote areas of the country. Likewise, the proliferation of smartphones and better speeds has created an explosion of new apps and mobile-friendly versions of websites.

There are some very real drawbacks for consumers, especially when taking data caps into consideration. Consumers had adjusted to unlimited data plans present on 3G and earlier versions of their phones, but the 4G shift removes many of these legacy packages. This is putting many consumers on edge about making the upgrade.

Businesses, too, will feel the impact of 4G communication in many different facets of their operation and consumer interaction. SmartInsights.com gives some insight to mobile adoption and usage on a consumer level and its effect on online businesses. Stats include:

• Mobile Internet users will overtake desktop users by 2015
• Half of all local searches are performed on mobile devices
• Worldwide mobile Web usage is beyond 10 percent

In essence, the widespread adoption of mobile devices coupled with faster bandwidth provided by 4G technology has turned consumers into tech-savvy shoppers, with the ability to compare prices, read reviews, ask for suggestions and gain feedback at the point of purchase. Mobile commerce is on the rise, and the faster speeds of 4G are only going to support it.

Finding the Best Provider

All major carriers have introduced 4G into their offerings, but there are many things to consider before making the leap:

• Data plan and data usage – Research the data plans offered by each carrier and understand data usage. This will help you find the balance that's right for you, especially since all but Sprint have dropped their unlimited data plans.
• Speed and reliability – Some carriers offer 4G LTE (tops for speed and reliability), whereas others use HSPA+ or Mobile WiMax. Each of these technologies continually sees development and innovation, which makes it difficult to declare a solid winner.
• Pricing and legacy – Price will always be a major factor in the buying decision, so it’s vital to compare the cost of a two-year agreement against the price of buying a new phone outright and changing carriers. Likewise, consider legacy subscription and renewals, especially if service can continue under an unlimited data plan, versus a newer contract that no longer offers unlimited data.

LaptopMag.com put the five major carriers to the test, using multiple mobile gadgets, locations and file usage. In the end, Verizon came out on top, due to their speed and coverage. The other contenders certainly had a great amount of value to offer their customers, however.

Finally, as you make your way in a 4G world, understand that coverage and actual speeds may vary greatly.

Author Bio
Murray Lunn is a freelance writer specializing in content marketing for online businesses; his work includes business blogging, product development, and brand development.