While the U.S. futzes with 3G, Europe gets a 4G demo
On this side of the pond, we’re constantly discussing the painfully long transition from 1xRTT to EDGE to EV-DO/HSDPA. I don’t know about you but to me it feels like this whole process is taking longer than some prime-time network comedy runs. While we’re watching for new 3G cellular towers to be lit or upgraded, Samsung is treating 3GSM attendees to 4G WiMAX WAVE 2 demo according to Akihabara News. Let me give you a few thoughts or specs and then I’ll sit back and wait for the comments:
- 40 Mbps downloads
- 12 Mbps uploads
- 700 MB video download in 2 minutes and 45 seconds
- 3 MB MP3 download in 0.7 seconds
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OK, here’s a comment:
Hahahaha-nanananana!
and a friendly hello from Berlin, Germany.
*wide grin*
I currently get around 10 mbps over fiber dsl here in Berlin, but those 4G specs make buying a cellular modem for my Tablet (+cell flat rate) very appealing.
But saying “Europe gets a demo” doesn’t mean it will be available in all west European countries any time soon. But it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
BTW, who the hell is in charge of that kinda stuff in the states? And what is wrong with them? I there even HSDPA/UMTS or 3G nationwide?
//F2theD
I think the data market here in the North America has been very slow to mature, so carriers have not seen a good business reason to keep up with our mobile geek demands.
However, I also think they are starting to come around to our mobile geek ways. I have noticed that television commercials are becoming more and more data focused, so hopefully the average cell phone user will start to understand what we mobile geeks have been saying for years…. more bandwidth please.
Fabian….we deserved that. ;) We do have a FIOS rollout going on now that offers 15 MB or more down, but our cellular data coverage (high speed) isn’t quite nationwide just yet.
I think we have two problems here in the state.
1. Carriers want to charge you an arm and a leg for unlimited data service on top of an already pricey cell phone bill. Now I’m not cheap but add $39.99 a month to a $59.99 cel lplan and thats high.
2. The FCC. I don’t think we need anymore explaination on this one.
OK, so it can download a 3 MB MP3 in 0.7 seconds, but can you use it to pop the top off a bottle of Budweiser?
I bet you could, but let me double-check, OK?
I mean, I’ll do that right after I downloaded MoTR in 0.9 seconds, Pirates of the Carribbean in minutes, and chatted with my buddies so fast they didn’t even know what they wrote that I already responded to.
LOL
I can’t wait
Fabian
As James always points out, our big obstacle here is size. We have too much ground to cover and carriers aren’t willing to make the investment. Thus, our 3G networks are tightly focused on urban areas.
However, it should be noted that WiMax range is measured in miles, which really reduces the distance barrier. Makes it easier to branch out from the cities. Should be a major boost to mobile broadband here.