Consumers everywhere are hearing more and more about the power of 4g and 3g networks, but many of them are still confused about what these terms mean. Clear wireless as well as other cell phone companies and Internet providers are now offering 4g networks to consumers because it is the latest technology.
Basically, most of the US is currently running on 3g networks for their cell phones, computers, and modems. 3g stands for the 3rd generation of wireless standards, which relates to the overall speed of the network. A 3g network has the capacity to reach a speed of 3 Megabits per second.
There is nothing slow about 3g and there is nothing wrong with keeping as your primary connection. 4g, on the other hand, is the 4th generation of wireless standards, and it runs on a satellite Internet system with the potential to reach speeds of 100 Megabits per second, 33 times as fast as 3g. Although it is supposed to be this fast per se, not all of the companies that offer it will actually reach these bandwidth top speeds, so chances are that you will not be able to see a significant difference. Different cell phone plans will have different options and packages too.
In terms of products, whether they are 3g or 4g does make a significant difference because it determines if they will be compatible with certain networks. Most companies, like Clear wireless, offer both 3g and 4g networks to consumers. A 3g smartphone will basically work everywhere because that is the national standard, but it will be incompatible with 4g networks. If you have 3g smartphone you will eventually be forced to purchase a 4g smartphone so it will be compatible with the satellite Internet 4g networks. If you buy a 4g smartphone, then you can use both 3g and 4g networks because it is compatible with both of them. However, it is important to remember that not all cities have 4g networks, so that means that you may be operating
on a 3g network anyway depending on where you live. As of now, 4g smartphones and computers are more expensive and the service prices from cell phone companies and Internet providers are also higher, so that is why many people are reluctant to give up their 3g devices. For the most part, most consumers can live without 4g networks unless they can afford it. 3g is still the national standard, although many companies are implementing 4g networks all over the country. Either network is fine; it just depends on the needs of the individual.
