The mobile internet is finally becoming a reality, urged on by the installment of new high-speed mobile data networks and the emergence of a new class of smartphones, slate-style tablets and other devices designed to take advantage of the new network capabilities and content geared to mobile users.
The chief US mobile network operators and makers of smartphones and tablet PCs used the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as a launch pad for their new 4G services, software applications and devices boasting download speeds up to 10 times faster than current 3G networks.
The success or failure of the companies in persuading consumers and business users to trade-up to higher speed data networks and the next generation electronic devices that run on them will be closely watched elsewhere as mobile network operators worldwide prepare to invest in new infrastructure based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) and rival technologies.
At CES, Verizon Wireless, the joint venture between Verizon Communications and Britain’s Vodafone group, launched 10 new consumer products including four smartphones and two tablets designed to operate on its new LTE network which launched last month.
The new LTE devices, which will be available by mid-year, include Motorola’s new Droid Bionic smartphone and rival Google Android-powered handsets from HTC, Samsung and LG Electronics.
The two tablets, both powered by Google’s new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, are Motorola’s Xoom and an LTE version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.
According to Dan Malone, Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer, the LTE network performance is already exceeding our expectations and promised that the network would be quickly extended from the initial 39 markets to more than 170 markets and two-thirds of the US population by year-end.
