Tech Minute: How 4G Works On Cell Phones

SAN FRANCISCO (CNET) ― Just when you understood 3G cell phones, along comes 4G. CNET's Brian Cooley explains what that means and why you may be waiting a while to try it.

4G isn't one thing, it stands for 4th Generation cellular standards, a family of technologies that create a much a faster data connection to your smartphone.

How much faster will depend on your phone, carrier and signal conditions, but 4-6 times speedier is a good rule of thumb. That means broadband in your hand is basically as fast as what you have at home.

Now the bad news: Only one carrier, Sprint, has 4G deployed in a substantial way right now, and even that's only in a few major metros, though over 100 are promised by end of 2010. Verzion and AT&T will make their full court press in late 2010 and early 2011.

You'll also need a new phone to take advantage of 4G from any carrier -- and only one exists today: the HTC Evo on Sprint.

And of course you'll almost certainly pay a bit more more for data on 4G than the plan you're on today.

None of this means 4G isn't a major step forward for services like streaming video and video calling that struggle today, but it's an evolution you can afford to wait for.