| It's a quiet little revolution that's stretching across | | | | city is your hotspot; your favorite restaurant is |
| the globe: 4G and WiMAX are spreading like | | | | your hotspot; your local swimming pool is your |
| wildfire. Why are people infatuated with this new | | | | hotspot. Students can video chat with parents |
| wireless Internet technology? What's to love? | | | | while riding the bus. The potential uses are limited |
| It turns out that the fans aren't restricted to one | | | | by your imagination. |
| particular group. Avid gamers, multitasking moms, | | | | Some people admittedly sign up to for the |
| swamped students, and Google-searching | | | | service simply because they like cutting edge |
| grandpas are all proclaiming their undying love for | | | | technology. This technology is simply better and |
| this fourth generation of mobile Internet service. | | | | faster than 3G. The only initial reservation that |
| They're all hoping 4G is 4Ever, because now that | | | | some people have expressed is the fact that you |
| they can work and play anywhere without a slow | | | | must be in a 4G zone in order to have coverage. |
| connection, they're hooked. There's no going back. | | | | This is partially correct. You can only use 4G in |
| WiMAX is the technology that makes this fourth | | | | cities that offer the service, and not all cities are |
| generation possible. Using a giant cloud of harmless | | | | yet covered. However, more cities are added all |
| microwaves between towers, this new service is | | | | the time. 3G wasn't offered everywhere at first. |
| deployed relatively quickly in cities. It's already | | | | It takes time. If you're extremely concerned |
| offered in most major metro areas in the U.S., | | | | about having coverage outside the city, you can |
| with more cities added on a monthly basis. And | | | | opt for the 3G/4G dual-mode card that allows |
| it's not restricted to America: more than 150 | | | | you to hook into the 3G network. Granted, you |
| countries have WiMAX in place. Its popularity | | | | won't have 4G speeds, but you'll at least be able |
| stems from its use of towers and clouds rather | | | | to have some service. |
| than wires or small Wi-Fi hotspots. Because it's up | | | | Users that are particularly fanatical about this new |
| to five times faster than 3G and isn't a | | | | Internet technology are the ones who multitask |
| wire-based service, users are able to use their | | | | endlessly. They are what you'd call Type A |
| laptops while in motion. | | | | personalities. They can't stay seated and they |
| It's like the difference between a remote-control | | | | have to be busy with something all the time. |
| toy car and a wired car - one is much more fun | | | | They're driven and ambitious. With DSL or cable |
| than the other. 4G versus DSL is like freedom | | | | technology, the broadband speed is there, but the |
| versus limitation. Gamers can play online at the | | | | mobility is not. 4G, however, allows our Type A |
| same speed as they could through DSL. Parents | | | | friends to cut the cord and take care of business |
| can keep the kids busy on the laptop while driving | | | | on the road. They can watch live sports while |
| around town, while grandma and grandpa can go | | | | sitting in a waiting room or buy stocks on the |
| over their retirement portfolio at their favorite | | | | train. Take their 4G away from them, and you'll |
| restaurant. There's no Wi-Fi hotspot needed. Your | | | | have a mutiny on your hands. |