Faster 4G phone services for the Future

3G’s data transmission speeds are between 600 kilobits and 1.4 megabits per second, fast enough to move from Web site to Web site, or send an e-mail, within seconds.

In contrast, 4G speeds start at 2 megabits per second and can reach 10 times that speed and higher. 4G means a fatter data pipe of sorts, which translates to smoother and faster downloading or sharing of large files, such as movies or music.

LTE, WiMax technologies

Two leading 4G technologies, WiMax and LTE, continue to vie for favor in the United States.

LTE, which stands for Long Term Evolution, is a standard endorsed by AT&T and T-Mobile as well as Verizon Wireless, which may begin LTE trials late this year.

Sprint has backed WiMax, offered by Washington-based Clearwire. So far, Clearwire’s WiMax service is available in Baltimore, where it launched last fall, and in Portland, Ore., where it started this month.

There are no WiMax handsets, but there are WiMax modems, PC cards and USB dongles that offer high-speed wireless Internet access from laptops. Sprint recently started selling what it calls “the first 3G/4G” USB modem for mobile broadband.

A WiMax signal has a range of about six miles, in contrast to Wi-Fi, which covers about 150 feet indoors, and 300 feet outdoors. Because of that limitation, WiMax is considered a good choice for those who don’t roam too far from their personal 24/7 base station — home, or even the office.