4G for mobile networks

Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMax are the two technologies poised to dominate next-generation mobile networks, says Aussie-based telecoms guru Paul Budde, reports The National Business Review.

LTE - or 4G technology - offers up to a 50Mbps download speed to a mobile device, which is more than five times faster than what most people experience on landline DSL broadband today and 10 times faster than 3G broadband.

A team from Nokia-Siemens recently installed a demo LTE network at Vodafone's Auckland headquarters and in the US, Verizon Wireless is setting up a 700MHz LTE network, which will go live in 2010. AT&T is also following suit.

Vox Communications and Unified Technologies Group are to combine VOIP and data networks by the end of the year, says Voip Planet.

The product will be sold under the band name Zer01 and Unified Technologies Group will charge users $69.95 for unlimited voice and data, including taxes and fees, according to CEO Ben Piilani.

Vox founder and CIO Mark Richards says: "This is a first step over the divide, with the end result being that major carriers all migrate to a data network, so that the voice network with all its complexities eventually goes away.”

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Aegis Mobility have unveiled new technology which manages incoming and outgoing calls and text messages on drivers' mobile phones, a product aimed at reducing the problem of distraction while behind the wheel, states RCR Wireless.

DriveAssist is a software-based, patent-pending technology that runs on mobile phones, informing callers that the individual they are trying to contact is driving and therefore cannot answer the phone or text message.

Nationwide and Aegis said the technology will be made available next year by cellular operators, but did not name any particular carriers.