As a look back at the history of advertising will show, it is possible to create a consumer demand for a product that doesn’t exist yet.  In a way this is the state of the marketing of 4G technology.  There is a bombardment of ads proclaiming that carrier X can offer you the best of the “next generation” of mobile technology.

These ads play to a very specific information age consumer insecurity:  technology becomes obsolete quickly.  If you don’t adapt to the rapidly changing technology you too will be left in the dust.

The power of these ad campaigns and general lack of consumer understanding is evident in calls I receive from users of basic phones with no internet at all worried about not having the next generation of mobile technology.

Does the current state of 4G deliver on the marketing promise?  What is a 4G network capable of?  Are current networks even 4G at all?

Put on your high boots and join PhoneCan as we attempt to wade through the murky waters of marketing and confusing terminology to define just what is– the current state of 4G.

On many occasions, we’ve been witness to confusion concerning the type of technology used by Verizon Wireless - some of which is also used by Sprint, MetroPCS, and regional wireless service providers.  Of this site’s internal visitor statistics, we often see people searching for information about the wireless technology being used by Verizon.  The information is actually rather simple, but the common consumer is probably confused by terms such as “1X” and “EVDO.”

Follow us after the break to better understand the technology that Verizon (and others) use, and what some of the technical jargon really means.

Verizon Wireless held a press conference extravaganza this afternoon, announcing new LTE phones, netbooks, and tablets.

There are several sites that have been able to do hand-on inspections of the devices.  Unfortunately, PhoneCan couldn’t be there to do the same, so we’ve got a quick side-by-side of the devices for you to look at.  First, we’ll look at the LTE phones.

At the time of this article, we are a day away from Verizon Wireless announcing their first 4G phones.  Speculation has run wild in the last year concerning an Apple iPhone coming to Verizon in early 2011.  Everyone, media-wise, seems to have input on the issue, and has for some time (with a poor track record of success).  The inevitability of an iPhone for Verizon is indisputable.  Everything else about it, however, is.

Here’s what we know:

LTE network launches December 5th.
38 Markets at launch, 60+ airports.
5-12 Mbps download, 2-5 Mbps upload, claiming up to 10 times faster than 3G.
Two USB devices available at launch, $99.99 each after $50 rebate.
5GB plan for $50, 10GB plan for $80, $10/GB overage standard on both plans, no usage limit, no speed throttler
Expected to expand to full coverage by or in 2013.

Here’s what we don’t know:

When an LTE phone will launch.

Verizon will announce it’s first LTE-capable phones at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January.  In the Q&A they clarified that we would be seeing an LTE smartphone “by” mid-2011, but not necessarily “in” mid-2011.

We’ll update you with more as or if it comes.

This evening, the Verizon Wireless 4G (LTE) site appears to have kicked up a notch, with a “Coming December 2010″ teaser.

As we reported, Verizon President, COO, and overall head honcho, Lowell McAdam, announced yesterday the eminent launch of Verizon Wireless’ LTE (4G) network.  The carrier expects to have their 4G network launched and covering a slew of cities and airports by the end of 2010.

McAdam and Chief Technical Officer, Tony Melone, had a lot to say about the capabilities and attributes of LTE, but didn’t have much else to give us.  Still unknown are the actual launch dates.  Even less known are the devices themselves.  What we do know about, aside from technical specifications, are the launch sites and some tempting bits of information.

At his CTIA Keynote and following press conference, newly minted Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam announced details of his companies upcoming Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network.  We already gave you a list of the launch markets, and we’ll cover launch details as they become available.  Pricing and launch date specifics were not given during either announcement.  But the big question everyone’s asking is “How fast is it.”  Lowell McAdam was more than happy to answer that question, but he also wanted to make it clear that the LTE upgrade was more than just a speed boost.

Information is already trickling out.  These are the cities listed as part of the initial launch:

In a mere 15 minutes we’ll be viewing the Verizon Wireless LTE press conference.  Already, Lowell McAdam spoke at the CTIA conference as part of the keynote program, and gave a bunch of bits and pieces for us to feast on.  Once we have the full - AND OFFICIAL - lowdown, we’ll be putting it up on PhoneCan!