4G Internet Access in San Jose: What is it?

Internet Services in San Jose

What is 4G internet access? San Jose is the home of computer technology so it's an apt location from which to discuss the differences between 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G technology. In the beginning, internet access consisted of slow dial up connections made through telephone lines. Technology advanced and DSL (Digital Subscriber Lines) came along which allowed people to transmit digital data alongside voice over a telephone line. This technology allowed people access to high-speed internet access while still using existing wiring. 

The next great advance in Internet access was cable and satellite Internet services in San Jose. One drawback to these services is that they required additional wiring. DSL had a great advantage in that it could use existing lines for Internet access.

The newest addition to Internet access is 4G wireless access. For those of us from older generations who carry cell phones, and are just beginning to use text messaging, the world of the G's is a mysterious and unfathomable place, which many of us do not care to visit.

4G technology is the fourth level of wireless technology offered by wireless cellular companies. It uses ultra mobile broadband for Internet access. Broadband is a word many of us have heard for years without understanding its meaning. Broadband (broad band) refers to a communications technology that can pass several streams of data along a single medium such as cable or radio frequency (RF) waves. Broadband is used in high-speed internet services in San Jose, cellular services, fiber optic services, and broadcasting services.

In the 1980's 1G wireless technology was developed. It was the first type of wireless network. 1G technology utilizes the analog signal used by cellular towers. In the early 1990's 2G technology upgraded the analog signal to digital allowing for the inclusion of text messages. In the late 1990's, 3G technologies, using electromagnetic wavelengths to broadcast a wireless broadband signal, allowed users Internet access and the ability to download applications using 3G data cards in mobile devices such as IPhones or Blackberries.

4G technology is an upgrade to faster Internet access transmission. It offers the ability to exchange greater amounts of information along with heightened security. 4G technology may provide data transmission rates between 100 Mbps and 1Gbps. 3G offers data transmission speeds approximating 200 kps.

4G wireless Internet access services may include modems, notebooks and cell phones. 4G technology may also provide a new capacity in downloading for consumers. One limitation to the new 4G technology is that the level of service provided by 4G may soon outweigh the ability of existing cell phone towers to carry the transmissions.