It has been reported that leading wireless phone manufacturers have started to create the next generation of cellular phone systems, called 4G, or fourth-generation, networks.

It is said that these networks are intended to provide faster data speeds compared to the existing speediest networks, which are called 3G.

Sprint is said to be the foremost this race. Its 4G network already is available in 32 cities, and towards the end of 2010 the firms intends to add at least 14. Sprint is now getting ready to release the first 4G-capable phone in the U. S. on June 4.

This latest phone also works on Sprint's 3G network, and is called the EVO 4G. It runs Google's Android operating system and is built by HTC, based in Taiwan.

The phone comes with a price tag of $200 after a $100 mail-in discount, with a two-year agreement. For infinite data and SMS’s, 450 talk time and free calls to any mobile phone on any network the monthly fees will start at $80, which is a $10 climb from Sprint's similar plan for 3G phones.

When the HTC EVO 4G is used on Sprint's 4G network, it provides offers the maximum reliable downstream data speeds. It also features a front-facing camera for video chatting, and the capability to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot (for an extra fee of $30 a month), which at the same time can connect the internet to up to eight laptops or other gadgets.

It has been claimed by Sprint that standard users will experience downstream data with 3 and 6 megabits per second speeds on the EVO when 4G is in use.