What is 4G mobile broadband?
4G mobile internet is the latest technological jump in mobile broadband - hence 4G coming after 3G, which followed 2G. EE introduced the first UK 4G network in October 2012, with the rest of the networks to follow suit.
If you're completely new to the concept of mobile broadband we suggest you check out our comprehensive Beginners' Guide before you continue.
What's important to us is 4G dongle broadband has brought a significant jump in speed to both uploading and download when you're on the move.
It's a fledgling technology, but in time we're talking a really significant boost - perhaps 10 times the average mobile broadband speeds we're used to.
In comparsion, it's a similar step as fibre was for home broadband - 4G really could change the face of the broadband world forever, offering superfast broadband to us all, even on the move.
When can I get 4G mobile internet?
Depending on where you live in the UK you may be able to receive a 4G service right now.
Th
e EE network (formerly Everything Everywhere) is a joint partnership between T-Mobile and Orange and has been operating a 4G service since October 2012. Coverage is limited, but growing all the time, and they aim to have 70% of the country covered by 2013 and 98% by 2014.
What of the other networks? The auction process for 4G licences has now been carried which means customers of Three Mobile Broadband, O2 and Vodafone should all be able to transfer over to 4G mobile internet before the end of 2013, though as with EE, coverage will be patchy for several years.
How fast is 4G mobile broadband?
Under real world conditions 4G mobile broadband can exceed 20-30Mb, though as always this is dependent on a strong signal and the amount of network congestion. Our own experiences with 4G suggest 10-20Mb is more common but as coverage improves this will improve.
The theoretical speed is actually much higher, being 100Mb+, but it will be quite some time before we can hope for 4G mobile broadband speeds in that category.
However, what 15-30Mb speeds will offer is instantaneous browsing and streaming of content, as well as lightening fast downloads. It should also be a really big boon for mobile Wi-Fi and MiFi units, as that kind of capacity means a bunch of laptops, netbooks and other mobile broadband compatible devices will be able to operate at once from a single mobile broadband SIM.
So what's the downside of 4G?
Unfortunately, there is a bit of bad news. Some of this is just speculation for the moment, so don't take it as gospel, but these are the things we can see putting you off 4G mobile broadband:
- Equipment upgrade: you will need to buy some new equipment so that you will be able to receive a 4G mobile internet signal. Existing 3G dongles and smartphones will not be compatible with 4G.
- Reduced battery life. This isn't an issue for USB 4G dongles, but portable Wi-Fi units and smartphones will have a lower battery life due to the increased power demands of a 4G signal.
- 4G mobile broadband contract: With some paying as little as £5 per month or less for their mobile broadband right now, you could be in for a 4G shock. The current US monthly costs (which subsidise the 4G dongle) are the equivalent of around £40 per month. However, on the plus side, you get unlimited data usage.
- Patchy signal: We're going to have to see if 4G mobile internet networks really are a brave new dawn for mobile broadband, or if the same old problems rear their ugly heads once more. It's all well and good having a flashy dongle that can get 25Mb speeds, but not if you have to balance on a wall to get them, holding your laptop in the air!
What should I do until 4G arrives in my area?
This really depends on your situation. If you don't already have mobile broadband, there are some really cheap deals around. As long as you're willing to accept that speeds can be slow and coverage patchy at times, a mobile broadband connection can be a real life safer. It can get you online on the train, on holiday, in cafes that don't have Wi-Fi when you need to check your mail or check something online.
If you already have mobile broadband but are crying out for faster speeds - perhaps you can't get a good landline connection - then there may a glimmer of hope. While you're waiting for 4G broadband to come along, keep your eyes on Three Mobile Broadband.
Three was the first to market with its MiFi (mobile Wi-Fi) offering and was also the first to offer DC-HSPA+ which pushes 3G to the limits, with theoretical speeds of up to 42Mb.
Right now Three is improving its network, so don't expect immediate results. However, if all goes to plan, Three customers could be getting speeds twice what they are now on mobile broadband before 4G is widely available.
