The Race For 4G Wireless

While most wireless operators are still struggling to understand how to properly monetize their third generation wireless networks, the race for fourth generation network technologies has already begun. This is not a contradiction as current 3G networks will be operated and enhanced for many years to come. Furthermore, specification, development, rollout and mass production of 4G devices all take their time. Thus, most 4G systems are at least five years or more away from the mass market. So why will there be a need for 4G networks and which standards are competing on a global scale? Also, which of those are the most promising candidates for different kinds of operators? I’ve been thinking about these questions for a while now and will put my thoughts into a number of blog entries which I will add over the course of the next couple of weeks:

• Why is there a need for 4G?
• 4G Overview: WiMAX 802.16e, UMTS LTE and EVDO Rev. C
• Comparison of 4G Systems and my take on their market outlook.