4G technology on the phone side is running full speed ahead with companies like Sprint pushing the HTC 4G phone and pushing the promise of 4G networking. The Sony Epic 4G phone is another example of a hot new phone for this expanding market.
However, there are problems, and most of it has to do with where the real world hits the virtual wireless world – at the towers. Clearwire is the company that is building out much of the 4G networking for companies like Sprint, and they are facing a daunting task: Negotiating for tower placements in big cities. While the phones are churning out fast and the take rate on the 4G phones is incredible (apparently the HTC 4G phones were hard to find, because demand was too high), it can take 12 – 18 months to get permission for a new tower, and in a bigger city, it takes many towers to do the job.
I found this interesting article at CNET that pretty much explains the problem, and shows where the real world realities can get in the way of technology advances. So while 4G phones are gaining popularity, it may still be a while before the network services to support them will be available all over the US.
Originally Syndicated via RSS from Broadband Wireless Access
