Since 4G online wireless services have yet to enjoy widespread global implementation and 5G remains a technophilic pipe dream, the current 3G options will have to do for most. However, research firm IHS iSuppli predicts telecom giants will soon boost their signal strength so to speak.
Companies such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile will likely increase their previous investments (leading to a two-fold industry-wide increase from 2010 levels) into vital new infrastructure equipment in 2011 to match a rapidly growing demand for high-speed data networks, professed Jagdish Rebello, IHS Senior Director and Principal Analyst of Communications and Consumer Electronics, in a report published by the research group this week.
The uptick in predicted spending, IHS says, would be a direct response to rapidly increasing demand amongst consumers and the subsequent need for strong, reliable high-speed data networks which can handle all the traffic thrown at them.
"In developed nations, wireless carriers are wrestling with the thorny issue of exploding data traffic on overloaded networks, brought about by the huge appetite among consumers for high-bandwidth mobile data services such as video and web browsing," said Rebello. "This is spurring rising investments in equipment that can support high-speed data transmission, specifically gear that works with the 3G/3.5G and 4G standards."
Ironically, just what "4G standards" actually are is still in question.
This week, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) proposed the "Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act" (.PDF), which would require carriers to provide "accurate disclosures to consumers of the terms and conditions of 4G service."
"The wireless industry has invested billions to improve service coverage, reliability and data speeds, and consumers demand for 4G is expected to explode," said Eschoo. "But consumers need to know the truth about the speeds they're actually getting."
Luckily, there's still time to sort out exactly what 4G is. IHS (and others) say 4G won't become the standard until 2013. Plenty of time for a drawn-out argument on Capitol Hill and accusations of lobbyist string-pulling, right?
Have you jumped on board with 4G yet? Satisfied with 3G? Or will you wait for the mythical 5G service? Let us know in the comment section.
