One question that we hear often is, “What exactly does 4G mean?” Well, answering that doesn’t require a big technical background. The “G” in 4G stands for “generation.” Every time a wireless carrier upgrades the equipment on their towers, they refer to it as the next generation of their network. In basic terms, every time they make their internet faster, they give it a new name to add value for their customers.
This does not mean that all 4G networks are the same. If Verizon’s 3G was as fast as T-mobile’s 2G, then T-mobile’s 4G will be a lot faster than Verizon’s. You will also see terms such as LTE or HSPA+. These are terms for the actual technology—the current generation of the network. LTE stands for “long term expansion.”
This is currently the fastest technology on the market, and the carriers use it because it can easily be upgraded for years to come. Knowing and recognizing these terms can help you compare different carriers and how fast their networks actually are, not just what “G” stands for.