Sprint To Offer 4G Speed To 3G iPhones

As we know that the wireless technology is slowly moving towards a fourth-generation (4G) system that will allow faster speeds and secure IP communication from the network core to mobile devices. Several standards are evolving to implement 4G, and are in varying states of readiness. AT&T and Verizon are both moving to implement Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, which is a step along the road to true 4G. Sprint chose to go a different route with Mobile WiMAX, a wireless Ethernet protocol based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard intended to bring wireless "last-mile" connectivity similar cable modems or DSL.

Sprint Nextel is the third largest wireless carrier in the United States, trailing behind the two mobile industry giants – AT&T and Verizon. Sprint has been struggling to maintain their existing list of subscribers and is taking a shot at AT&T’s often maligned network by showing off an iPhone 3G user connecting to Sprint’s 4G service through their Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot device, which is a combination WiMAX subscriber station/WiFi base station.

Sprint is marketing the Sierra Wireless Overdrive device for use with its WiMAX network, which is currently available in 27 cities in the US, with more coming later this year. The battery-operated portable hotspot has a 4G receiver, a WiFi base station, and it allows up to five WiFi devices to connect at speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, according to Sprint.

With Apple sticking with AT&T as the carrier of choice for the iPhone and iPad, other carriers are trying to get a piece of the action by offering alternative data plans for the devices. Verizon's MiFi currently uses 3G, but takes advantage of Verizon's well-regarded network costing $60 a month, with 5GB limit, compared to Sprint's WiMAX service that offeres 300MB for $59.99 a month.

See the video below: