Do we need 4G?

The hottest topic today in the telecoms world is 4G. Several operators have publicly announce their plans to roll-out LTE in the next years while most are now implementing HSPA. On another side there's WiMAX, claimed by some quarters as real 4G. Both have their pros and cons but let's not be a party to that debate. Instead let's ask ourselves do we need 4G and its benefits of high speed data?

Look at at this way in some parts of the world they are just starting to implement 3G (UMTS) networks. Moving to 4G is being driven by the need to have something new, something better. Is it consumer driven? Absolutely not! So what is it then? I believe it is vendor driven. Any system vendor out there today will always go out their way to find the next big thing, the product that will bring in more revenue. It doesn't matter that consumer adaptation is slow, it just needs the right services, further marketing and promotion.

So going back to the question do we really need 4G. For the sake of the world's financial health, yes we do! Implementing 4G requires new talents, new developments and new investment.. this mean an additional driver to boost the world's economy... Its good for you an me :-)