Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    6,585
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    246 times in 208 posts

    What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    I am still on the fence about which phone to get, and while doing some price checks (speaking of which, I am not sure about the UK, but doesn't look like the Galaxy S3 is really cheaper in my region), I noticed that the S3 comes in different hardware specifications. So I need to decide which versions I have access to, which is best best if I want to travel with, and which one is the best value - frankly it's a mess. I note is that the international version doesn't do LTE. Is that the one being sold in the UK (the Wiki doesn't list a UK/European model amongst the 9 available).

    The iPhone 5 is.. less messy but I still need to figure out what is the deal between the A1428 and A1429 (seeing that I need a phone for Europe and Asia, I *think* that the A1429 is what I'll need but I better check more because Japan usually do their own things).

    It's not so much that 4G/LTE/whatever you call it is really much of a dealmaker/breaker for me, but I figured that if I am going to buy another phone to use for the next 3+ years, it may as well come with it. I do not recall 3G being such a mess (or maybe I just missed the issues), so why is 4G such a mess?

  2. #2
    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    North West
    Posts
    7,494
    Thanks
    335
    Thanked
    313 times in 249 posts
    • Spud1's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Aorus Master
      • CPU:
      • 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB GSkill Trident Z
      • Storage:
      • Lots.
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RTX3090
      • PSU:
      • 750w
      • Case:
      • BeQuiet Dark Base Pro rev.2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus PG35VQ
      • Internet:
      • 910/100mb Fibre

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    3G did have similar problems with the supported bands, particularly in America where it is still a problem to this day..but it was simpler/clearer as there was only one type of 3G tech that took off, even if it was using a range of bands.

    4G has exactly the same problem, but you have WiMax (what Sprint use in the USA) and LTE (becoming the common standard), then varieties of each.

    At the moment I don't know of any "world' 4G devices - but thats talking just in terms of 4G connectivity. All of these 4G devices will supports 2G, 2.5G and 3G networks as a fallback, and most that I have seen are tri or quad band to help deal with this.

    Will probably be a few years before we see truly global 4G devices imo.

  3. #3
    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    17,164
    Thanks
    803
    Thanked
    2,152 times in 1,408 posts

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    One of the nice advantages of 4G is that more devices will get more speed out of the same spectrum, collisions should also be less (apparently!). In the City, its a big problem getting decent mobile phone data.
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

  4. #4
    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    17,164
    Thanks
    803
    Thanked
    2,152 times in 1,408 posts

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    Just gave T-Mobile end of EE a call (not sure if it makes a difference).

    You can't order anything other than an iPhone 5 or a Galaxy SIII.

    Not impressed as they list them on their site as "available today"
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

  5. #5
    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    North West
    Posts
    7,494
    Thanks
    335
    Thanked
    313 times in 249 posts
    • Spud1's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Aorus Master
      • CPU:
      • 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB GSkill Trident Z
      • Storage:
      • Lots.
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RTX3090
      • PSU:
      • 750w
      • Case:
      • BeQuiet Dark Base Pro rev.2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus PG35VQ
      • Internet:
      • 910/100mb Fibre

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    ^^ Same problem here, can't find them anywhere :*( and no information as to when..I'd be happy with a black or blue one tbh, but I guess its a waiting game now until someone gets stock.

    I did have a look through this with Phones4U though - they are unwilling to offer *any* incentive to go with them rather than direct with EE - no cashback, Bill credits, freebies or anything..when I asked him "So why should I sign up via you instead of direct with EE" his response was "Well, our excellent customer service". Needless to say, at that point I walked out...

    Best laugh I have had all week

  6. #6
    Moosing about! CAT-THE-FIFTH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Not here
    Posts
    31,623
    Thanks
    3,757
    Thanked
    5,064 times in 3,912 posts
    • CAT-THE-FIFTH's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Less E-PEEN
      • CPU:
      • Massive E-PEEN
      • Memory:
      • RGB E-PEEN
      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVEN BIGGER E-PEEN
      • PSU:
      • OVERSIZED
      • Case:
      • UNDERSIZED
      • Operating System:
      • DOS 6.22
      • Monitor(s):
      • NOT USUALLY ON....WHEN I POST
      • Internet:
      • FUNCTIONAL

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    4G,LTE!!

    Yep,it took years to appear over 3G!!

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    6,585
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    246 times in 208 posts

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    Quote Originally Posted by Spud1 View Post
    4G has exactly the same problem, but you have WiMAX (what Sprint use in the USA) and LTE (becoming the common standard), then varieties of each.
    Interesting, I never thought of WiMax as "4G", as it was never marketed as such in Japan, but not on a phone, but as a separate mobile router. One major difference with WiMax and 3G/LTE in Japan, is that 3G/LTE works where you have a mobile phone reception - which in Japan mean in the tubes as well, whereas WiMAX don't. I didn't put much thought into the why (i.e. is it a technical difference, or an infrastructure difference as mobile networks here only support 3G and LTE, and WiMAX are offered by a separate company). On the plus side, WiMAX here is pretty much "unlimited" whereas anything from the mobile network is heavily metered.

    At any rate, I've decided not to care, since high speed connection is simply far too expensive in Japan for me to consider. I am going to be sticking with a 150kps "3G" connection because it's the only way I can keep my monthly bill within £20 (£17.60 to be exact). The next step up is 200kps for £23.30 (50kps isn't worth £5 to me). Then 300kps for £30.75. 400 kps for £33.15. The next step up is proper 3G/4G, which I am sure is pretty fast in Japan.. but will set the user back at least £48.50 (pretty much everyone I know, including students are happily paying over £50 a months on mobile phone bills). And they are subject to fair use policies (for the £48.50 plan, it's 1.2GB per month).

    Darn here, here I go again, renting on the absurd mobile phone contracts in Japan Anyway, with my el cheapo contract, there is no need for me to worry about 4G. But here's something kinda funny: they sell "LTE compatible" SIM cards with the 150kps cap too xD http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/aeon/service_talk.html

  8. #8
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Nottingham
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post

    Re: What's with the deal with 4G, LTE etc.?

    Will the 4G be more useful at saving power ? Using 3G just eats battery life like no body else's business!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •