I'm not sold on the whole 4G network yet. It seems like most new technology its an excuse to rip people off. I look at it in the same way as HD TV and 3D TV when they first came out. From what I can see networks are hiking their prices up (fair play to 3 for not doing this) and giving less data.
The licenses were expensive, around half a billion or more for each network. The networks need to recoup the cost somehow. 3 only has a small amount of the 800 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum. They don't have the 2.6 GHz band which is better for cities with lots of people connecting at once. Also 3 don't offer stuff like Orange Wednesdays, or a free subscription to Sky Sports etc.
Higher frequencies give higher speeds over a shorter range. Low frequencies give slower speeds but over a longer range.
It's not a rip off. It's brand new technology without any other equivalent. If you are away from a Wi-Fi signal and want the data capacity it's that or nothing. Also the carriers offering 4G tend to give unlimited calls and texts. The money is in the data.
If you don't need the technology then don't buy into it. Some people just use their phone for calls. Some are happy to have a smartphone and just get stuff over Wi-Fi. If you want a Wi-Fi speed away from a Wi-Fi connection then you will have to pay for it. The speed of 4G can be five to ten times a 3G connection. It can be similar to home broadband.
Not all operators have the same 4G. O2 only has 4G on the 800MHz band. Good for long distances but speed and reliability is theoretically going to be worse in built up areas. O2 thinks it's Wi-Fi hotspots will compensate for this.
What I didn't realise until I saw Watchdog the other night and the amount of complaints EE is getting about missed calls, is that 4G doesn't support telephone calls, only data. All calls on the 4G network still use 3G technology so there seems to be some issue with EE and switching between 3G and 4G. .
EE is trying to sort out coverage as the Orange/T-Mobile merger meant a duplication of masts and masts cost money. So they are trying to close down masts where they can. Designing 4G as a packet switching data network, rather than as a voice one has helped get the fast speeds for data.
It also means that 4G is more resistant to interference and a greater signal density. It means more reliability as well as more speed. Difficult to gauge this at the moment as it is still early days for 4G.
EE has three frequencies to deliver 4G on. More than the other carriers. It also currently has the biggest coverage.
Until the wrinkles are ironed out and the prices come down to sensible ones I think I will pass, for what I use my iPhone for I can't see any benefit.
Anyone overly impressed with 4G?
Up to you but if you are buying a 3G phone on a two year contract you will be stuck with a 3G phone for two years. Network choice also matters as the different networks offer different 4G frequencies.
Also there is another thing. You probably don't download films, play networked games, or watch YouTube videos etc
at the moment as the 3G signal isn't up to it. If you have a fast 4G signal your view might change as new applications are now opened up to you.