What is the difference between wi-fi, 3G and 4G cell phone service for internet?

Yes, I am a dinosaur. I do not know much about phones. For work, I need to be able to access internet where ever I have cell phone reception (if possible), I need to be able to see the screen as if it were a computer. Not some strange text stuff. I have T-mobile service. Does it matter the phone, plan, WiFi/3G/4G?



Please help. THANKS!!!!!!!!What is the difference between wi-fi, 3G and 4G cell phone service for internet?
I'll make this as simple as possible:



Wifi: the signal comes to your phone from a wireless router or modem, which is somewhere in your home, office, school. The signal has a limited range, up to 150 feet from the modem most times.



3G: The third generation of wireless internet. The internet comes to you from a cell phone tower somewhere in your neighborhood. Speeds vary usually between .5 and 1 megabits per second.



4G:The Fourth generation of wireless internet. The internet comes to you from a cell phone tower somewhere in your neighborhood. Speeds vary usually between 6 and 15 megabits per second.What is the difference between wi-fi, 3G and 4G cell phone service for internet?
the 3 and the 4What is the difference between wi-fi, 3G and 4G cell phone service for internet?
As for T-Mobile goes, there is no true 4G technology. There is HSDPA+ which is comparable to current WiMax (Sprint's 4G). However, not all phones support HSDPA+. 3G is HSDPA/UMTS. It is faster than many of the older generation phones. Wifi is Wireless Fidelity which uses a wireless router, and a broadband internet connection.



For a perspective think of this.

1990 - 2000: Average speed of Internet connected PCs for the home was 14.4 - 56kbps

Early 2000 decade, broadband brings about 512kbps (about the "3G" standards).

Today, there are speed averaging about 10 - 15 MBPS (1MBPS = 1024kbps).

4G and HSDPA + currently averages 5 - 10MBPS.



As for devices to use, there are PC modems. They will plug into the USB port of your notebook. The USB port looks like a small rectangular hole, and most notebooks have 2 - 4 of these. You could buy a USB modem, and from there - use a notebook to connect when you don't have a wifi connection. Inquire about any data caps. If they say there are caps, then you shouldn't use it to stream video.



If you want to rely on a phone like device, the ones with the best screens will be smart phones. Currently, there are only 2 that supports T-Mobile's "4G". That is the G2, and My Touch 4G. The G2 had complaints on flimsy hinge for the keyboard. Both have a touch screen, and it will take getting used to.



If you need a physical keyboard, then RIM typically has the best one. For that, go with the 9700, or 9780. However, the web browser is not as good as on the Android devices (such as above). If you want an Android (good browser), and a physical keyboard, the T-Mobile slide will be a better option. Most of the phones will use HSDPA/UMTS (3G).



As for the plan, if you go with a smart phone which is the closest to a PC experience, you will need to have a data connection for you to use it fully. In which case the Even More/Even More + plans are as follows with SMS/Data



500m: $80/$60

1000m: $90/$70

unlimited: $100/$80



You can only get the second option if you walk into a store, and get the phone at full price. If you are willing to do that, expect to pay $350+



All smart phones will have wifi these days. If you have a broadband connection at home - invest in a wireless router. You will then be able to rely on the home network's capability rather than cellular.





Hope this helps without getting too technical. Take care