Comparing 3G and 4G technology

Technology changes fast, we have always known this. Some of us pounce on every new improvement, and others like to wait it out and assess and learn about how it will benefit them before they embrace it. So here's a rundown of 3G technology and how it compares to 4G technology which is just around the corner for us Australians.

Firstly, what is 3G? It's the 3rd generation in wireless technology providing high-speed internet access. Most of us would be using this technology today via our mobile phones, for general internet use. You often hear the term 'network' used in place of 'technology' when people refer to 3G, so we'll use this same reference for the rest of this article.

Speed - This is often the key in a network upgrade and there is definitely a difference here. 3G network speeds currently connect at a maximum rate of 14Mbps downlink (how fast you can download) and 5.8Mbps uplink (how fast you can upload). This will vary based on location and what you are using the connection for. In comparison, 4G networks are said to gain speeds of up to 100Mbps for someone on the move, and if you remain stationary you can expect speeds of 1Gbps! That's huge as these speeds have only been available for wired users in the past. So to put it simply, it's faster. Much faster! Again, location does come into play and signal has been a major issue in the past. This brings us to the next advantage.

Signal strength - Signal strength varies with 3G technology. 4G networks use a different sort of antenna system called 'Spatial Multiplexing'. This technology involves deploying multiple antennas to transmit and receive data, which allows for a better signal. So more antennas equal a better signal right? Unfortunately this is not always the case; certain 4G devices have suffered from severe signal loss which is due to the network carrier rather than the technology. The choice of who provides your 4G network connection, when it becomes available will be important.

Circuit switching - A 3G network uses circuit switches to connect your communication session. It uses resources to both send and receive data, which ties up the network. 4G networks will use a different type of switch called 'packet switching'. This will connect your communication session totally wirelessly (the first generation to do this), and resources' are only used when sending data.

In a nutshell, 4G is soooo much faster. So do you make the change? Well, when it is available, it all really comes down to what you use your Internet and mobile phone for. Are you a web browser and social network user? Do you like to stream media from home or straight off the Internet? Perhaps you're a gamer and you need the best speed possible to keep up with your challengers. But overall, why wouldn't you want to be able to access things faster and easier? Stay tuned.

Have more questions or need help? Contact Gizmo on 1300 275 449 or help@gizmo.com.au