3G vs. 4G Wireless: Worth the Upgrade?

In the mobile technology world, the term 4G refers to the fourth generation of wireless network standards for smart phones and other mobile devices. While 4G standards have not been explicitly agreed upon, 4G networks are promising to bring faster, more reliable, and more secure wireless communication.
So yes, 4G networks are faster than 3G networks, but how much faster – and is it worth paying a premium for 4G service?

3G vs. 4G Speeds

While some 4G networks are capable of transmitting at up to 100Mbps, service providers have been reluctant to claim those lofty numbers. Some of that has to do with the limitations of underlying technology, while in other cases the service provider offers lower data transmission speeds to ensure network reliability and minimum standards of service.
Wireless carriers have learned a lesson from the mistake that AT&T made when it introduced a large number of smart phones, especially the iPhone, onto its network without having the infrastructure to support the resulting high demand for data services.
Verizon’s own trials with LTE 4G technology have demonstrated that peak download speeds of 40 to 50Mbps and upload speeds of 20 to 25Mbps are quite achievable on 4G networks. However, the company only seems prepared to offer average data download rates of only 5 to 12Mbps and 2 to 5Mbps on uploads.
These aren’t bad figures; actually, they are good when you consider that this is the average speed that most consumers get on their wired DSL connections. In fact, most 4G networks are 10 times faster than 3G networks, which have average speeds of 600kbps to 1.4Mbps.

4G Data Coverage

And now the catch: Whether you actually get 4G speeds on a 4G network will depend on whether your service provider has coverage in your area. While wireless 4G routers have been on the market for some time, the Evo 4G is the first 4G phone to be released in the US market, on June 4, 2010 by Sprint. While the phone is now widely available, not everyone who has one gets 4G speeds.
At the time of this writing, Sprint has 4G service in the following areas: Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.
How soon will it be before 4G technology is mainstream? No one can really say. It really depends on how much the carriers are willing to invest in new technology to support the service, and how quickly users migrate to 4G-enabled devices. Considering the fact that not everyone will need faster Internet service for their mobile phones, owners of 2G and 3G devices shouldn't worry too much about their cell phones becoming obsolete in the near future. That said, Sprint has committed to rolling out 4G services in 44 cities by the end of 2010.
The need for speed, particularly for people who download large files and watch videos on their smartphones, is no doubt going to drive the demand and quick adoption of 4G-related technologies. However, one of the hurdles that 4G has to rise above is the limited availability of 4G devices and network coverage.
Bottom line: For most of us, 3G speeds are fast enough for now. If you have a 3G smart phone that works well, keep it. By the time you're ready to upgrade, 4G will be more widely available – and more affordable too.