I just went to a convention in Louisville and asked my friends at Verizon if I could test one of their mobile HOTSPOTS.  They graciously sent me a MiFi 4G LTE HOTSPOT.  Let me say that I was impressed with how easy it was to get online.  Where this device kicks butt is the speed.  Louisville is a 4G market and I was able to get a 15Mbps download speed and 5Mbps upload speed.  On my cell phone I am used to 1.5Mbps download speeds and .5Mbps upload speeds.  When you talk 10X faster you see the difference. I used the MiFi on the convention floor and I would leave it “ON” to take it to my room.  Traveling between destinations, with the MiFi in my backpack, I used the HOTSPOT on my AT&T iPhone.  Once again the speed was outstanding, why use 3G speeds when I had 4G available?  I just learned through a press release that 4G LTE is coming to Lexington via Verizon in November.  (See the press release here; http://www.wkyt.com/lexington/headlines/VERIZON_WIRELESS_BRINGS_THE_POWER_OF_ITS_4G_LTE_NETWORK_TO_LEXINGTON_ON_NOV_17_131463923.html.)

I used to work for a Large ISP and the biggest cost with Internet access was what the phone companies referred to as the “Last Mile”.  The connection from the CO(Phone companies tie-in back to their Central office) to a business.  Wireless companies have promised a time when their Internet speeds would rival or beat existing Internet options; it’s here with the 4G LTE I tested in Louisville.  Even today DSL and cable connection’s speeds are limited and slow compared to the cost.  This device can eliminate the “Last Mile” along with worrying about where I am going to get Internet access.  Now I will carry my HOTSPOT with me.  Once 4G comes to my area I will look at eliminating my home phone and DSL and go with a HOTSPOT via a cell phone or a stand-alone unit.  As of April of this year according to a USA Today article over 26% of the households in the US only have a wireless service (source; http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-20-cellphone-study.htm).  Over a quarter of our population use wireless and as speeds increase for Internet access so will the people opting out of traditional landline or cable service.      

I was skeptical about the possible speeds of 4G, until I experienced it.  If you’re thinking about getting a new phone you need to get a 4G capable phone.  You won’t be disappointed.

This is Tim Coles and you have had your Technology sermon.  Comment below or email me at tcoles@wkyt.com.