Next Generation Networking

Next Generation Networking

3G versus 4G wireless networks

Applications and Services

3G networks are also called third generation networks. They are specially designed for successful voice transmission as well as facilitate the creation of maps and widely used for positioning services. Apart from that, it can be used for developing apps used for online billing, video conferencing and much more. Also, it is used for popular mobile phone games along with advanced mobile TV apps. CDMA 2000, EDGE, and UMTS are common examples of 3G networks.

4G (Fourth Generation) Networks are quite useful for using advanced mobile service having movie and video streaming. It also facilitates with higher resolution and low shuttering. Therefore, online multi-player games having extreme graphics requirements work efficiently with 4G networks. Wimax2 and LTE-Advance are common services and applications associated with 4G network (Diffen.com, 2001).

Network architecture

3G networks offer wide area cell based network architecture whereas 4G offers integration of various network topologies. 4G network offers hybrid network concepts to integrate the wireless LANS (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.15 and IEEE 802.16), wireless WANs, as well as Bluetooth having fiber-core internet backbone (Mobileinfo.com, 2002).



Data throughput

3G wireless networks facilitate its users with throughput at 153kb/sec and goes all the way up to 2Mb/sec in specific cases. Moreover, its peak upload limit of 5 Mbps. On an average, the throughput speed ranges between 0.5 to 1.5 Mbps (Electronic Design, 2012).

4G (Fourth Generation) provide an extreme upper download limit of 1 Gb/sec and upload limit of 500 Mbps. Average speed ranges between 2 to 12 Mbps. However, Telstra in Australia is quite a huge company and has come up with a 40 Mbps data plan. However, it has the potential to reach the range of 100 to 300 Mbps. (Diffen.com, 2001).

User perceptions

Most users don't buy standards rather they purchase products value and features. In this lieu, 4G appears to most of the common internet user as the fastest internet media available at quite a high price. Hence, the main user-perceived distinction between the 3G and 4G is the speed and price. Most of the common users prefer the internet connection having greater throughput of data along with lower price. (Kim G., 2010).

4G LTE, 4G WiMax, and 4G WiBro

Upload and Download Speeds

4G LTE is provided by the Verizon Wireless and has the ability to download at 100 Mbps and upload data at 50 Mbps. For the 4G Wimax technology, it provides download speed of 70Mbps which is relatively lower than 4G LTE. Fixed Wimax and Mobile Wimax can provide downloading speed to 75 Mbps and 30 Mbps, respectively. The exchange rate for 4G WiBro data ranges between 30 to 50 Mbps.

User perceptions

As far as 4G LTE is concerned, users are availing the various advantages through the advancements of 4G LTE. However, they are somewhat not satisfied by the poor or no connectivity. Apart from that most of the 4G sites are located in metropolitan areas and are responsible for reducing ...