Verizon, Vodafone, And AT&T All Looking To The Future Of Their Data Networks

All three companies are looking to LTE (Long-Term Evolution) as their choice for 4G data access. LTE, which I had never personally heard of, apparently offers up 100 megabits per second down, and up to 50 megabits per second up with a low latency of 20 milliseconds making gaming and video conferencing a more viable venture on the network.

Alltel hasn't yet looked past their 3G network, and Sprint is already supposedly working on a 4G network with Xohm which would use WiMax instead of LTE. The 4G networks would likely replace not only the data networks of these companies, but would allow them to phase out, over time, their older voice networks as well.

The best part, if all three companies choose LTE as their 4G solution, that would allow them to hammer out roaming agreements likely allowing the customers of either to roam on any one of the three's networks without having to worry too much about outrageous charges. Specifically Verizon and ATT working out a deal would be great here in the US, it would grant users of either service a huge network and a greater coverage area. Verizon and Vodafone are to begin a joint trial of the technology sometime next year with plans for a completed network by 2009 or 2010 if they choose the technology.

Verizon confirms 4G access, to share with AT&T [via electronista]