
What you need to know about cellular phones in 2018
Mobile carriers in the United States are already looking to improve the performance of their networks in 2018, but there are a few big hurdles to clear before carriers can begin to make big strides.
First, the FCC needs to approve a new standard for mobile devices, which would allow carriers to push a range of mobile phones with faster speeds.
But as Ars Technic’s Mike Matuszewski reports, the standards are still at least two years away from becoming reality.
So carriers are going to have to start with smaller, more efficient devices that could help speed up the network.
The FCC has a history of approving a variety of devices with less than optimal performance, but this new set of standards would be the first time that would be used to set the parameters for an entire industry.
And carriers are unlikely to just focus on these devices, Matusizewski says, as there are lots of other devices on the market with similar specs.
The big question will be whether this new standard would be adopted quickly enough to keep up with demand.