You’ve seen the TV commercials about 3G and 4G wireless phone service and think you know what they mean.
The “G” stands for generation. The first analog cellphones were 1G, followed by 2G. Third generation — generally termed “3G ” — networks can provide download speeds as fast as 4 megabytes per second.
At 4G, things get complicated. The terminology is not uniform throughout the telephone industry: 4G is supposed to be faster than 3G, and 4G LTE, or long-term evolution, should offer the fastest download speeds.
In June of last year, PC-Mag.com ran network speed tests in 30 cities. For sheer speed, Verizon 4G LTE was fastest; T-Mobile 4G LTE was next, followed by AT&T 4G LTE and then Sprint 4G LTE.
So, you want speed above all else, right?
The real winner should be the carrier that offers the best coverage in your area. And, if you still use your phone mostly for voice calls, a 3G phone without a high speed connection could save some money.
That’s one bit of information contained in the latest issue of the Ratewatcher Telecom Guide, published by Maine’s Office of the Public Advocate. Ratewatcher was last published in 2013, and a lot has happened in the world of telecommunications since then.
One big change is widespread interest across Maine in increasing broadband access. While nearly three dozen bills dealing with broadband were introduced in the Legislature, no added funding for broadband was approved. Ratewatcher notes that this may change with the carrying over of some bills to the next legislative session.
For those consumers who can get broadband Internet service, the Ratewatcher guide gives side-by-side comparisons of monthly cost, speed, contract length and fees for installation, equipment and cancellation. It also shows areas where DSL, fiber, wireless and satellite service are available.
The guide also lets consumers compare prices for telephone services a la carte or bundled. The guide is long on detail, beyond the basic rate and service points. It notes that “bundled services are not subject to rate regulation, so rates are sometimes negotiable.”
The authors suggest consumers ask their providers periodically for a lower rate; they say the answers may sometimes be pleasantly surprising.
As we’ve cautioned in the past, consumers should be sure what happens to their rates once a promotional offer expires. The guide also warns that telephone scams are a growth industry; it lists several do’s and don’ts to avoid being scammed.
One sidebar of interest deals with FairPoint’s phone books. Starting with this year’s publication, they will no longer include residential — “white pages”— listings. Once the books are published, those listings will still be available for free online, at dexpages.com. Free copies will be available on request by calling DexPages at 1-877-243-8339.
Find the Ratewatcher Telecom Guide online at maine.gov/meopa. To receive a printed copy by mail, call 207-287-2445.
Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s all-volunteer, nonprofit consumer organization. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for information, write Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer, ME 04412, visit http://necontact.wordpress.com or email contacexdir@live.com.