Comparison of Wireless Broadband in the U.S.A.

3G, or third generation, mobile broadband uses existing cellular phone towers and offers a wide area of coverage for subscribers. Cellular phone companies offer prepaid packages and contracts that provide unlimited Internet access through smart phones and other mobile devices. 3G broadband transmits data at speeds of at least 2 megabits per second and up to 15 megabits per second.

4G, or fourth generation, mobile broadband is the newest wireless broadband service available that uses cellular phone transmission. Faster than 3G, 4G broadband supports video chat, real-time communications and synchronous gaming. 4G wireless broadband transmits data at speeds of around100 megabits per second and is available on some smart phones, iPods, iPads, some electronic readers and air cards available from 4G service providers.

Satellite broadband works in a similar fashion as satellite television. Companies place a satellite dish on a home rooftop and point it toward a geostationary satellite in orbit. When the home computer requests a webpage, the information is sent to the orbiting satellite, which contacts the webpage and sends the information back to the home computer. Transmission speeds range from 1 to 2 megabits per second, depending on purchased package. This type of wireless broadband provides Internet access to areas that may not have cellular coverage.

The Federal Communications Commission opened 3650 -- 3700 megahertz radio service for wireless broadband in 2005 to expand Internet access to rural areas. This type of wireless broadband works through radio transmission using line of site. Companies place radio band transmitters in high point areas while a receiver or antenna is placed on a home rooftop. The residence receives the wireless signal as long as there is an unobstructed line of sight from the transmitter to the receiver. Transmission speeds are similar to other wireless broadband depending on tree coverage, weather conditions and other obstacles.