As 3G mobile services finally begin to surface in American markets, some of the large mobile carriers are looking ahead and preparing to plan what 4G services will look like to consumers. Wireless companies KPN Mobile, Orange, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Vodafone have joined forces and created the NGMN Corp. to help outline their future strategies.

The preliminary plan includes looking at ways to replace existing networks and allow for the cost effective implementation and delivery of mobile broadband services while staying within the standards of the industry by 2010. The group hopes to define a target architecture to further enhance and eventually replace current packet switched networks allowing a smooth transition from current 2G and 3G networks to 4th generation services.

The new group hopes it can be viewed as a future step in the evolution of mobile delivery services such as HSDPA, HSUPA, and EVDO allow increased broadband access among wireless networks. The group also hopes to tackle some existing issues in the industry including IP rights and cross network issues. Ominously missing from the list of companies backing the initiative are wireless carriers Verizon, Alltel and Cingular.