IT&E has been advertising its new and improved data plan as the \u201cbest 4G experience in the Marianas.\u201d The telecommunications company launched HSPA+ 4G on July 14, 2014, according to IT&E Sales and Marketing manager Hans Mickelson,<\/p>\n
\u201cHigh Speed Package Acess+ 4G speeds are much higher than regular 3G,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The heavily advertised 4G experience covers destinations on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. In an IT&E commercial, users are seen experiencing 4G speeds at locations such as Garapan, the Saipan Grotto, and Mount Tapochau.<\/p>\n
Mickelson added that the 4G technology is the fastest service possible for the islands to have at the moment. CNMI users are now experiencing speeds of 16mbps and higher.<\/p>\n
One IT&E employee, who has worked for the company for over a decade, said that phone users covered by the 3G Data plan under Docomo Pacific experience speeds of only 5mbps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the generation of social media and online movies this is a big leap because now IT&E speeds can handle those needs,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
For Netflix and Hulu subscribers, this means no more buffering while watching the latest TV episodes or movies on a mobile device connected to the 4G network. Customers are now also able to use Skype or FaceTime with a more stable connection.<\/p>\n
\u201c4G means a more robust experience for the mobile users on their devices,\u201d Mickelson told the Saipan Tribune. \u201cUsers will experience improved Web browsing, downloads, better speeds for streaming movies, music and gaming. Quicker logging onto Facebook, email, and other social networks.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to faster web browsing, the 4G experience also means a wider choice of phones and devices, superior coverage throughout the CNMI, value in the form of airtime plans and ease of use when roaming to worldwide destinations.<\/p>\n
Multinational telecommunications corporations like AT&T offer 4G Long-term Evolution, or LTE, which the New York Times calls \u201cmore impressive and the most advanced in terms of speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mickelson explained that LTE is the next generation of mobile network technology and is not expected to be on Saipan anytime soon.<\/p>\n
One customer, who requested for anonymity, said that his 4G experience has been unreliable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes the data would drop down to 3G on my Samsung phone.\u201d He added, \u201cThe data is expensive compared to other customers under Guam providers.<\/p>\n
Is the best 4G experience here? Mobile users with 4G compatible smartphones can now encounter the \u201cthe best 4G experience\u201d for themselves and decide.<\/p>\n
With IT&E\u2019s 4G network reaching its one-month mark in the islands, the company is offering a 30-day trial for mobile users with 4G compatible smartphones to experience the network risk-free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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