USA! We're Number 1!

[Commentary] Rah! Rah! Rah! That's right: We Americans rock. Why? Because — unlike in previous Gs — we've got 4G first, and we're using it to kick butt and take names, at least as far as the wireless vendors are concerned. For the first time in more than a decade, the U.S. is leading the way in the implementation of a new generation of wireless technology. And that has made the U.S. the focus of every vendor's 4G efforts globally. The U.S., and North America in general, has always been important to global wireless vendors, but its split technology loyalties and general tardiness in deploying new networks have served to keep vendors occupied in other regions of the world when a new standard emerges. Now the tables have turned. The number of long-term evolution (LTE) commitments in North America is staggering, as are the aggressive deployment schedules of carriers. Consequently, instead of focusing their initial sales efforts on Europe and East Asia, wireless vendors are making North America their first point of attack. If the number of LTE innovation labs the vendors keep opening on American soil isn't enough to convince you of their Yankee fever, then their words should.