It looks like we may get some more competition in the mobil broadband space, as the FCC is reportedly set to approve the LightSquared 4G LTE network.
Unlike other mobile operators, the LightSquared 4G LTE network will use satellite networks instead of the normal airwaves and some carriers objected to this because satellite spectrum is generally cheaper than other spectrum.
Still, the LightSquared 4G LTE network should provide another option for mobile data and it plans to blanket 92% of the U.S. population by 2015. Don’t expect to sign up for LightSquared 4G LTE service though, as the company will be selling to carriers and other resellers and these companies will be offering service to consumers.
The LightSquared 4G LTE network comes as 4G is starting to hit the mainstream. While we had a trickle of it in 2010, this should be the year when the floodgates open.
AT&T is making a big push with 4G, as it will have 20 devices which can take advantage of its faster speeds. It will be calling its HSPA+ and LTE networks as 4G and it will have devices which supports both standards.
T-Mobile raised a fuss when it called HSPA+ 4G last year but this is delivering up to 21 Mbps download speeds. The carrier is also hoping to boost that up to 42 Mbps download speeds by the end of the year.
Sprint has been pushing its WiMax network for a few years now and it has multiple smartphones which can take advantage of it. It recently said the highly-anticipated BlackBerry PlayBook will support WiMax.
Verizon is pushing its LTE network and it should have a variety of handsets out in the next few months. We’re also waiting to see how it will work with tablets.
[Via Reuters]