LTE, HSDPA, DC-HSDPA: Explain this alphbet soup of “4G” to me

#News(IoTStack) [ via IoTForIndiaGroup ]

4G refers to the fourth generation of phone data service, a digital standard with a peak speed above 1Gbps (Gigabit per second) download according to the ITU-R organization (international data group).

While LTE Advance does support this, no carriers actually use it. LTE that everyone is using refers to as “4G” is technically classified as 3.9G and is the required stepping stone to get to the mythical 4G networks.

EDGE stands for “Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution” (or Enhanced Data GSM Environment), a 2.5G enhancement for GSM with a theoretical top speed of 200Kbps, although real-world speeds will be closer to 90Kbps.

Peak Speed – 200Kbps (0.195Mbps)
Real-World Speeds – 90Kbps (0.087Mbps)
Which US networks have it – AT&T & T-Mobile (in fact that’s most of T-Mobile has for data, although they are now rolling out HSPA+ in some areas)

EVDO Also known as Evolution, Data-Only, this runs on CDMA networks.

Peak Speed – 2.4Mbps
Real-World Speeds – 450Kbps (0438Mbps)
Which US networks have it – Verizon and Sprint
HSPA/HSDPA is a range of connections all that use the same standards. HSPA was adopted by most countries as it allowed for more flexibility and a better roadmap to be faster in the future.

HSPA (US)

Peak Speed – 3.6Mbps
Real-World Speeds – 1.727Mbps
Which US networks have it – AT&T
HSDPA (US)

Peak Speed – 7.2Mbps
Real-World Speeds – 3.2Mbps
Which US networks have it – AT&T
HSDPA (International)
Peak Speed – 14.4Mbps
Real-World Speeds – 6Mbps

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