It appears that Sprint is feeling the pressure of the LTE vs WiMAX dilemma. The carrier's WiMAX 4G network has been operating for a few years already and has a line-up of excellent US 4G smartphones. However, the looming presence of LTE 4G and its increasing influence is forcing the carrier to decide whether it will build a Long Term Evolution network.

The ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the authority that determines the definition of 4G, recently certified LTE-Advanced and 802.16m WiMAX 2 as the only technologies that meet the requirements for a fourth generation wireless network. However, it appears that the agency has changed its mind. Check out this statement:

"It is recognized that [4G], while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed."

Here's a new chapter in the US 4G war saga. Verizon Wireless has made an aggressive move by marketing its 4G network as the fastest in America. It appears that the carrier also intends to release a series of ads that attacks the 4G networks of its rivals.

T-Mobile's decision to rebrand its HSPA+ network as 4G technology have triggered heated responses from is rivals. However, a closer lk reveals that the competitors in the US fourth generation wireless market are not actually offering 4G.

Sprint WiMAX, T-Mobile HSPA+, MetroPCS LTE and Verizon's upcoming LTE network may offer speeds that are faster than 3G but they are not technically 4G. The term appears that have evolved into a label that describe a network that offers speeds tha are higher than 3G.

It appears that Clear's upcoming LTE 4G trials have caused some alarm among Sprin'ts WiMAX subscribers. Matt Carter, president of 4G at Sprint Nextel, assured subscribers that Sprint is still focused on use of WiMax for 4G wireless networks.

Carter said, "Our position is that we are singularly focused around WiMax and there's no waivering on that view from us. Does the amount of wireless spectrum [Sprint has available] give us the opportunity in some time to to convert to LTE or run LTE alongside WiMax? Yes. We built the 4G network in a manner to give us that flexibility. But we don't want to confuse the market and our ecosystem of suppliers and customers. We are deploying WiMax."

Sprint has just confirmed the possibility of an LTE-WiMAX 4G merge. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, recently held an interview with the folks at Financial times and revealed that the carrier is thinking about the possibility of adding a Long Term Evolution network to its growing list of supported networks.

Some people think that LTE has a lot more potential than LTE. However, WiMAX 4G is more than a step ahead when it comes to smartphones which could be an advantage in the WiMAX vs LTE rivalry. Sprint has just introduced the second smartphone to support its WiMAX 4G network.

Clearwire has been sending out hints that a switch towards LTE may be possible in the next few years. For instance, CEO Bill Morrow declared that he advocates one all-IP 4G standard and that Clearwire could add LTE once it reaches the equivalency to WiMAX's capabilities. If this scenario materializes then it might spell and end to the LTE vs WiMAX rivalry. But merging the two technologies may not be as easy as Clearwire projects it to be.

WiMAX 4G appears to be reeling from being abandoned by Yota, but the technology has received a boost from the early success of the HTC EVO 4G. Sprint has proudly announced that its first WiMAX 4G smartphone has broken the first day sales record set by the Samsung Instinct and Palm Pre.

Internet access speed is becoming more important as we advanced further to modern technology. Recent developments in technology such as gaming, sharing photos, downloading music need high-speed Internet for optimum use. Thus the need for 4G technology is becoming more evident. WiMAX and LTE are currently locked in a struggle to provide the best speed for Internet related activities.

The interest in LTE vs WiMAX speed is growing as we transition towards 4G wireless networks. The two technologies are the front-runners to the race for higher internet access speed. Let's look at the details of the speeds offered by these competing 4G networks.