From 3G to 4G

Sprint's current 3G network, based on CDMA 1xRTT EV-DO Rev 0 technology covers more than a hundred cities in the USA. Verizon uses a similar technology. EV-DO Rev 0 allows download speeds up to about 1 megabit in real-life circumstances, but has very slow uploads. From there, both Sprint and Verizon are moving to EV-DO Rev A, which slightly improves download speeds and greatly improves upload speeds.

Cingular and T-Mobile are far behind in the 3G race. Cingular's HSDPA system, which is about the same speed as EV-DO Rev 0, is only running in 18 cities. T-Mobile hasn't deployed any form of 3G in the USA yet.

Mobile WiMax, otherwise known as 802.11e, will boost real-world download speeds to 2-4 megabits/second, said Sprint CEO, Gary Forsee.

"Much of this 4G usage will be user-generated content," Forsee said. "Imagine accessing and building MySpace and YouTube literally on the fly."

Sprint will make a relatively seamless transition to 4G thanks to dual-mode devices and a common applications platform across their 3G and 4G systems, Forsee said.

"As we deploy 4G services, there will be certain devices where we want to embed additional capabilities. It will be an application-based transition," he said.
evdomanuals.com