3g Wireless Networks

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Compare and contrast 3G wireless networks to 4G networks: The 3G and 4G wireless networks are both generations of cellular telecommunications technology. They both have revolutionized the way mobile devices are now used; however, when compared, 4G now represents the latest stage of wireless data technologies (Turban & Volonino, 2011). The biggest difference between the two is that of speed. The 4G network can typically offer download rates of 3 Mbps or higher, and 3G networks work on download speeds about one-tenth of 3Mbps (Turban & Volonino, 2011). In terms of services, 3G offers networks that consist of services, such as UMTS and the EDGE (along with a few others). These networks allow the support of a variety of multimedia and broadband services, allowing for much faster speeds than that of previous networks. The 4G network offers WiMAX and LTE. These services are significantly faster than that of the services provided by the 3G network, and allows for quicker file downloads and the ability to stream movies and or television in high definition (Bertolucci, 2011). Both networks offer a variety of applications, which ranges from audio, video, and other multimedia applications. The 3G network began the era of video calling, streaming videos from websites, and other capabilities that previous networks could not offer. The 4G network offers the same applications, but on a more advanced level. These applications include video conferencing, high definition mobile television and movies, and more advanced gaming services. The network architecture between both networks are quite different. The most noted difference between the network architecture between the 3G and 4G networks, is that the 4G network does not have a circuit-switched subsystem (which the 3G network does) (Turban & Volonino, 2011). The 3G network relies on the circuit-switched

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