Today, the Internet literally surrounds us in everyday life. We use social networks, watch movies, download programs that make our work easier. Each of us, in fact, is in a parallel "online life" consisting of accounts on various services, in games and on communication platforms. It is not surprising that for constant contact with all these resources you need uninterrupted access to the Internet. Preference, of course, is given to mobile communications, which allows, for example, to enter the social network anywhere and anytime: at home, at work or even on the road. So, in fact, there is a demand for 4G Internet.
Internet Connection Formats
It should be noted that the mobile Internet is not something new and inaccessible both around the world and in our country. Just before, it was slow, weak and quite expensive: from GPRS to 2G. The latter, by the way, has become quite acceptable for viewing pages in a browser, mail and working in some online programs. For more - downloading videos or downloading music - he, unfortunately, was not capable.
Today everything has changed. We have the most advanced technology to date - 4G Internet. Given the wide territorial coverage of mobile providers, such a network is available almost anywhere, even in areas outside the city. Thanks to this, anyone can enjoy all the benefits that opens 4G-coverage.
4G benefits
So, the network format of the latest generation (also called LTE) has advantages in all respects in comparison with 2G and 3G. This, in particular, connection speed and cost.
For example, using unlimited 4G Internet, a movie can be downloaded, on average, in 7 minutes. Compared with the third-generation communication format, it is about 4 times faster, and with 2G - 10-12 times. Impressive, isn't it?
In addition to downloading movies, of course, the high speed of the 4th generation Internet is noticeable in all other types of work. This can be an instantly open page in a browser, a song downloaded in a couple of seconds, or a stable high-speed connection in Skype without braking and disconnection.
In fact, 4G in terms of data transfer speed can be compared with a conventional fixed connection. The only drawback that this network format has is still the volume. Yes, the tariff plans that operators promote on the market are available at a normal price. But the minus is that they all have limitations on the amount of data transferred. Sometimes these are large packages of 20-30 GB in size, but still the restrictions are there. If we talk about the absence of restrictions, then the price is growing quite sharply. This means that unlimited 4G Internet (that is, one in which there is no limit on the amount of data transmitted and received by the user) is still not so accessible. Although, of course, the first steps towards its popularization and cheapening are already being taken.
Perhaps the reason for this is the very way of organizing signal transmission over the LTE network. Let's consider it in more detail.
How does 4G internet work?
The reason for such a high speed signal of the fourth generation Internet is the use of more advanced equipment. If you don’t go into technical features, we can say this: operators invested in 4G signal transmission, therefore the cost of such Internet and the volumes in which it is provided are due to these investments and the need to return them.
In addition to the costs associated with transmitting a signal of this format, there is another category of costs - devices that can receive a signal. It’s one thing if you have the latest phone or tablet that most likely supports LTE; the other is when you are looking for a special 4G Internet modem for your personal computer or laptop. In this case, of course, you need to pay attention to what characteristics such a device has and whether it will work in your chosen network.
Which devices accept 4G signal?
As already noted, among tablets and smartphones (and other mobile devices), the most advanced models have the LTE network support function. As a rule, this is indicated in the description of such an apparatus or a place is allocated in the name of the device (for example, Google Nexus 7 LTE). Therefore, choosing the gadget with which you can enjoy the benefits of working on the fourth generation Internet network using this guideline will be quite easy for you.
As for the other category of signal receivers - modems, the situation here is somewhat different. Portable modems are different: some of them are configured to work exclusively in one format, for example, 3G; others work both on a 4G network and in older communication formats. Here again, you need to pay attention to the characteristics and take into account whether you plan to work with a modem, say, also with a card in a 2G network. If yes, then you need to choose a universal device.
Who provides 4G communication services?
Now we turn to the overview of operators who provide communication services. Traditionally, these are cellular providers with technical capabilities (a network of towers) that can transmit a mobile signal. Through the same towers, the fourth generation Internet network is also being created. Consequently, 4G service is also provided by operators within the framework of those tariff plans that are valid for subscribers.
Now in the LTE network market, there are three major operators-service providers: MTS, Beeline and Megafon. We will write separate sections about them in this article in which we will try to outline the basic conditions for the provision of services, including the cost of data packets.
In addition to the above, there is also a Yota company engaged in the provision of Internet services in the Russian Federation.
About the tariffs of each of the mentioned operators - later in the article.
Internet from MTS
Let's start with MTS. On the official website of the company indicates the availability of three tariff plans. These are Internet Mini, Internet Maxi and Internet VIP. Accordingly, the cost of services for all plans is distributed as follows: 350, 700 and 1200 rubles.
Now we will figure out how much data is available to the user for these amounts in 4G format. MTS Internet provides in the following packages: 3, 12 and 30 GB. It should also be clarified that the last two plans - Maxi and VIP - make it possible to use the Internet without restrictions at night. The service is called "Night Unlimited". It can be a great helper for those who would like to download a new movie to their mobile device by simply leaving it on for the night.
MTS connection speed is not limited. As for additional packages, 2 GB on top will cost the user 250 rubles, and another 5 - 450 rubles. Thus, even if you have ended your 4G Internet, MTS is ready to provide more for a moderate fee.
Internet from Megafon
Megafon has the same tariff plans for the Internet in all formats. This definitely has some sort of logic in terms of customer convenience. In fact, the subscriber does not have to pay more for a particular signal transmission format, since he is interested in the mobile Internet service as a whole.
MegaFon offers 4G tariffs for the following: XS, S, M, L, XL with a cost of 7 rubles / day, 350, 590, 890 and 1290 rubles per month, respectively.
For this amount, the subscriber ultimately receives 70 megabytes (per day), 3 GB, 16 GB, 36 GB and unlimited Internet per month. This is quite convenient and inexpensive: the user chooses how much traffic he needs and for how long.
Another argument in favor of ordering 4G Internet Megafon is additional promotions to provide devices for reception. In particular, this operator is ready to offer you an excellent mobile router or USB modem at a bargain price. Also, the company’s start-up package will be included with it, due to which it is possible to switch to the Megafon tariff plans without unnecessary costs.
Plus, the company also provides the opportunity to buy traffic in the amount of 1 or 5 GB for 150 and 400 rubles, respectively.
Internet from Beeline
The yellow and black Beeline is another mobile Internet service provider. On his website, like the rest of the operators, a whole table of the advantages of this communication format is painted, various promotional pages and videos have been created that prove the mass of the advantages of fourth-generation communication.
As for the tariffs for which 4G Internet Beeline is provided, they are called as follows: “All for 200”, “All for 400”, “All for 600” and “All for 900”. The numbers indicated in each of the names is the price at which the package is offered. The volume of traffic within each of them is as follows: 1, 2, 5, 6 GB. In addition to the Internet, packages include (as, however, other operators) additional services such as free calls to the network and inexpensive calls to numbers of other operators.
If you compare 4G Internet Beeline with other providers, of course, the difference in prices and volumes of packages becomes obvious. For 900 rubles, this operator gives 6 gigabytes, while Megafon - 36 GB for the same amount.
Internet from Yota
At this provider, the conditions seem much more loyal. For example, for only 300 rubles you will be provided with unlimited Internet. MTS 4G communication at the same cost (for comparison) is ready to connect in the amount of only 3 GB. The difference is felt, right?
Other Yota tariffs are three packages (each of which is also unlimited), which are characterized by different speeds and, accordingly, vary in price based on this. So, a connection of 1 Mbps is available for 300 rubles, 3 - for 590, and the Maximum Speed package is provided to the subscriber at a price of 790 rubles.
Yota's LTE connection is clearly more profitable, but do not forget that other mobile operators make it possible to make calls on the network or beyond its limits, as well as use SMS packages. The same provider is less profitable to carry out such actions.
How to connect?
In this article, we have provided a list of mobile operators providing 4G Internet services (including unlimited). The question remains how to connect. The answer to it is quite simple.
Firstly, you need to find a device with which you would like to work in the future and which supports the fourth generation communication format. We recommend looking for it with the company whose services you will use, for example, with Megafon, a 4G Internet modem is cheaper if you “sit” on their network from it.
Secondly, purchase a provider’s SIM card, the conditions of which are closer to you. Thirdly, activate the card and replenish the account. Activation is carried out by dialing a combination of numbers (you will see them on the starting package of the card), as well as by dialing into a service center (although there you will most likely be told to make a combination set). After that, you need to replenish your account - and the mobile Internet with you!