Archive for LTE

Clearwire will have a 31-city initial LTE launch in 2013

hero 560x267 Clearwire will have a 31 city initial LTE launch in 2013

2013 is a long way off yet, but Clearwire is starting to provide a few specific details about its forthcoming LTE network. Yesterday Clearwire announced that its initial launch would include 31 cities, focusing on “Hot Zones,” or large, high-demand markets. Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle were all specifically named. The other 26 markets are, sadly, still anyone’s guess.

It is quite interesting that Clearwire is choosing to go with a delayed massive roll-out rather than a “get it out as quickly as possible” strategy, given how far behind it is and how little financial wiggle room it has. Erik Prusch, President and CEO of Clearwire may have given us a little glimpse into the why, while also bragging on his upcoming network.

“Our new 4G network will show that not all LTE networks are created equal. Clearwire’s LTE Advanced-ready network will deploy our deep spectrum resources for the next great era in mobile broadband in which capacity is king. We’re positioned to bring much needed capacity on a wholesale basis to address the unbridled demand for mobile data and the scarcity of spectrum in major urban and suburban markets.”

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Announcing the Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE

HTC EVO 4G LTE back 560x247 Announcing the Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE

The EVO 4G LTE, which is kissing cousins with the top end of HTC’s One lineup, is an awesome behemoth of an Android 4.0 ICS device, set to go on preorder May 7 for $199.99. If you know much anything about me, you know I’m a devoted Motorola follower, having owned nothing else. For the record, I have played with many others, but always come back to my favorite. This is the first phone from another manufacturer to make me actually seriously want it, and it even has a built-in kickstand, no media dock needed!

The EVO 4G LTE starts with a bang with its 4.7-inch HD screen, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, an awesome 8MP camera—more on that later—and a 2000mAh battery. It finishes with an even bigger bang—HD Voice. HD Voice is an industry first, making this a network announcement, not just a phone announcement.

HD Voice is a new technology being rolled out with Sprint’s Network Vision plan, and includes dual microphones on the devices themselves, special encoders, and special decoders. When all of this is partnered with Sprint’s newfangled wireless technologies, the result is an awesome conversational experience. What’s that you say? Use a smartphone as a phone? Crazy talk, I know!

The usual and obvious high-end goodies all come standard, such as LTE—duh—Sense 4.0, and NFC, including Google Wallet and Android Beam. Think I forgot about the camera? Think again. The 8MP camera is designed to be just as good as any 8MP non-SLR camera on the market. The camera has an incredible 2.0 f-stop—by comparison Cannon’s $179.99 A4000 IS has an f-stop of f/3.2—as well as several other HTC enhancements, like concurrent video recording and still photos. For more pictures, videos, and specifications than you could ever need, hit up the source links—they’re all good.

[Sprint | 2 via Good and EVO | 2]

It’s official, Sprint is leaving WiMAX for good, effective now

4g lte sprint 560x347 Its official, Sprint is leaving WiMAX for good, effective now

While this should come as no big surprise, it is interesting that Sprint has chosen to stop investing in its WiMAX network and devices before launching its LTE network. With as much money as it has in WiMAX, one would think that perhaps Sprint would milk it as a secondary option for a while to come yet—something akin to AT&T’s staggered HSPA+/LTE rollout. But at the Competitive Carriers Global Expo yesterday, Bob Azzi, Sprint’s senior VP of networks stated that the end has come.

Sprint is not turning off its WiMAX network or pulling devices from shelves so no need for alarm if you’re currently a WiMAX subscriber. Sprint has just stated that it will not be spending any more money on WiMAX rollout, be it device related or network related. The biggest factor here is the success Sprint is having with its LTE testing.

“We are wrapping up final field integration tests,” Azzi said. “The technology works and delivers more benefits than we expected.” Some of the biggest benefits from Sprint’s Network Vision program are an expected 50% reduction in expense per gigabyte of data used and a 50% reduction in expense per minute of talk time. We’ll see if those reduced costs rollover to the customer–I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Obviously, halving your costs can be a major incentive to get things in gear. Sprint expects to turn on its LTE network by the middle of this year, with its first LTE smartphone being the Galaxy Nexus by Samsung. Rumor has it Sprint’s second LTE phone will be the HTC Evo One—theoretically getting announced next week.

[FierceWireless via phoneArena]

MetroPCS talks 500k LTE subscribers, new plans, new phones

metropcs 560x138 MetroPCS talks 500k LTE subscribers, new plans, new phones

Being practically minuscule in comparison to Verizon or AT&T, MetroPCS has not gotten much press about its LTE rollout, but it is rolling out all the same. Lately MetroPCS has been bragging about its approximate 5% adoption rate, which just happens to be nearly the same as Verizon’s LTE adoption rate. 500,000 LTE subscribers means a lot more to MetroPCS than Verizon, but 5% of a customer base is 5%.

Keith Terreri, VP of Finance and Treasurer at MetroPCS, revealed these details while speaking at the Barclays Capital 2012 High Yield Bond and Syndicated Loan Conference. Keith Terreri went on to state that MetroPCS still hopes to launch more LTE Android phones in the second half of this year—probably more mid-range devices similar to its current three, priced in the $99-$149 range. Also revealed—following the finance theme—is that MetroPCS’ $40/100MB LTE plan is getting relatively little action in favor of the $50/1GB and $60/unlimited plans.

Because of the inherent high expense of a new network, especially an ultra-fast one such as LTE, MetroPCS’ bottom line is feeling some pain. To help alleviate this pain, the company has plans to debut a new, more expensive LTE plan. Since the $60 plan is currently unlimited, I would assume this to mean capping the $60 plan around 2GB—most of this plan’s users consume 2-2.5GB monthly—and adding a $70 or perhaps $75 unlimited. With unlimited being MetroPCS’ bread-and-butter, I do not expect to see unlimited data done away with, just made a little bit more expensive. And I would be ok with a move like that at speeds like this. Viva la unlimited data!

[FierceWireless via phoneArena]

FCC takes steps in the right direction for LTE roaming and Dish LTE

 FCC 560x395 FCC takes steps in the right direction for LTE roaming and Dish LTE

We have a couple of promising developments for you—and the wireless industry as a whole, really. In meetings yesterday, the FCC took small but positive steps towards legalizing two propositions set to give us customers more 4G LTE options, and more interoperability. The first concerns Dish Network’s unused spectrum in the 2GHz band, the second concerns T-Mobile’s request that the FCC require interoperability on all US 700MHz LTE networks.

First, with regard to Dish, the FCC has agreed to consider and investigate the possibility and ramifications of Dish using its 40Mhz chunk of 2GHz spectrum to build out a LTE network. Currently the spectrum is assigned to be used for what Dish does best—satellite. The spectrum is unused right now because Dish completed the purchase of it just this month for a whopping $3 billion plus. Dish has not yet formally declared its exact intentions for the spectrum, but mumblings and rumblings indicate a land-based LTE network.

Second, the FCC has agreed to move on to the next step in considering interoperability of all 700MHz LTE networks. Right now both AT&T and Verizon operate LTE devices on different parts of the 700MHz bands. And as almost any US wireless subscriber these days knows, AT&T and Verizon’s networks do not play nice with each other.

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NTT DOCOMO hits 2 million Xi LTE subscribers, fails to throw appropriate party

NTT DOCOMO Xi 560x350 NTT DOCOMO hits 2 million Xi LTE subscribers, fails to throw appropriate party

And so the worldwide LTE race rages on. NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s top wireless service provider, has just announced reaching the 2 million subscribers mark on its Xi—pronounced “crossy”—LTE service. The two millionth subscriber signed up on March 18, but with no word on any special prizes or fanfare. Apparently two million is a number worth announcing but not worth a party.

Two million is a solid number for a service just about 16 months old—it launched on December 24, 2010. The kicker for NTT DOCOMO’s ultra-fast LTE service is that its first LTE smartphone didn’t even launch until November, 2011, at which point the service was sitting below one million subscribers. Yes, this means its subscribership has more than doubled in the last four months!

Since November, NTT DOCOMO has added several high-end Xi handsets, no doubt helping to fuel its current growth spurt. It all started with the Galaxy S II LTE, and now has grown to include the Fujitsu Arrows X LTE, NEC Medias LTE, and the LG Optimus LTE.  If there is one thing that we can be sure of right now, it is that NTT DOCOMO is growing. Just over a week ago it announced breaking the 60 million subscriber mark, no doubt partially due to its increased LTE subscribers. Expect to hear plenty more news this year from Japan’s largest carrier. And maybe one of those announcements will come with door prizes.

[NTT DOCOMO]

Verizon announces 7 new LTE markets for tomorrow, will pass 200

verizon 4g lte logo 560x266 Verizon announces 7 new LTE markets for tomorrow, will pass 200

Verizon has been a busy little bee since we last took a look at its 4G LTE network, with dozens of enhancements across the US. Now Verizon is poised to break the 200 markets mark, something it plans to do tomorrow with the introduction of seven new markets and the expansion of 17 more. This massive upgrade will bring Verizon’s LTE market total to 203, over halfway to its goal of 400 markets and 260 million people by the end of 2012.

New markets set to go live tomorrow, March 15:

  • Altus Okla.
  • Dothan Ala.
  • Durant, Okla.
  • Enterprise, Ala.
  • Greenville, N.C.
  • Longview/Marshall, Texas
  • Naples, Fla.

Existing markets set to be expanded tomorrow, March 15:

Washington, D.C.; Elkhart, Ind.; Baltimore, Md.; Columbus, Miss.; Northern N.J.; Wilmington, N.C.; Duncan, Okla.; Allentown/Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Pa.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Cleveland, Tenn.; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; and Kenosha, Madison and Milwaukee, Wis.

The lucky 200th market will be Dothan, Alabama. “Our plans to double our 4G LTE network coverage from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012 align with the aggressive and rapid deployment strategy we have taken with our 4G LTE network,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. Aggressive and rapid no joke—AT&T has a lot of ground to cover, once it’s done coughing up the massive cloud of dust Verizon has left it in.

[Verizon]

Cricket and Clearwire get cozy, ink wholesale 4G LTE deal

Cleawire 4G 560x250 Cricket and Clearwire get cozy, ink wholesale 4G LTE deal

Clearwire and US no-contract carrier Cricket have agreed to undisclosed terms allowing Cricket to make use of Clearwire’s forthcoming 4G LTE network. Cricket does have its own 4g LTE network, but only in one city and currently Cricket does not have any phones for it. While the press release doesn’t explicitly state as much, it sure sounds like the plan is to have a selection of 4G LTE phones and internet devices such as USB dongles that are capable of running on both Clearwire’s 4G LTE network and Cricket’s.

“The high-speed 4G LTE networks we are deploying will complement our current robust 3G network and allow us to continue innovating value for our Cricket customers,” said Doug Hutcheson, President and CEO of Leap Wireless, Cricket’s parent company. “We believe this agreement with Clearwire provides us with an attractive option to supplement our own LTE build-out strategy and gives us the flexibility to access additional 4G capacity where needed as data-centric devices continue to become more popular.”

Clearwire is doing its best to stave off bankruptcy while attempting to build out its own 4G LTE network, as its heavily-invested WiMAX network is being left behind after this year. While Sprint has long been Clearwire’s biggest—and seemingly only—wholesale buyer, Sprint’s contract is not exclusive, allowing for this new deal with Cricket.

Erik Prusch, President and CEO of Clearwire, took some time in the press release to do a little shameless self-promotion, the short of which is that Clearwire hopes to sign similar long-term wholesale partnership deals with other wireless carriers. And if Clearwire can sign enough of these deals, it just might make it through its current slump.

[Clearwire]

Ofcom green-lights Everything Everywhere’s LTE network

EE LTE approval Ofcom green lights Everything Everywheres LTE network

Back on July 1, 2010, Orange UK and T-Mobile joined forces to form Everything Everywhere (EE), effectively creating the UK’s largest carrier. Now Everything Everywhere looks to be well on its way to being the UK’s first 4G LTE carrier. The UK’s wireless licensing body Ofcom—something kinda-sorta akin to our FCC—has given preliminary approval to EE to convert some of its existing 3G 1800MHz spectrum over to LTE and WiMAX.

1.2 This notice is in response to a request from EE to authorise the use of LTE technology under their licences for 1800 MHz spectrum. It follows the European Commission’s adoption of a harmonisation decision requiring all EU Member States to designate and make available 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum for LTE and WiMAX use.

Residents of the UK have been forced to sit and watch while the likes of the US, Korea, and Canada blaze ahead with advanced 4G technologies—especially LTE—but no more! Assuming nobody brings up any unconsidered complaints and barring any other hiccups, EE could turn on the first markets of its 4G LTE network by October of this year.

In a move that would have lawyers in the Land of Opportunity all in a tizzy, Ofcom clearly states that it expects this ruling and the expected future permanent rulings to create a situation in which EE is the only UK carrier with a 4G LTE network—possibly for as much as a year. After that, let the games begin!

[Ofcom via Android Central]

AT&T announces three new LTE markets, whimpers at Verizon’s LTE map

ATT LTE AT&T announces three new LTE markets, whimpers at Verizons LTE map

We all know that Verizon has a substantial LTE network, one that is still growing rapidly, as evidenced by our earlier article. But it may come as a surprise to some that AT&T also has an expanding LTE network, today hitting several new cities and even entire counties in North Carolina and Florida, bringing the total number of AT&T’s LTE markets to 28. Not bad… for last year. Verizon is about to break 200 markets and is still expanding.

Milking this upgrade for all its worth, AT&T released three separate press releases to cover the addition of two new markets and the expansion of one-all in the same geographical area. First we have the expansion of the Raleigh, NC market, which has expanded to encompass Durham, NC. Following that up, we have sunny Florida, which saw the addition of the Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, encompassing the Tampa-St. Petersburg market, and Sarasota and Manatee counties forming the new Sarasota-Bradenton market.

Coverage isn’t everything. Speed is still speed for many people, and AT&T’s LTE network is definitely faster than 3G. Exactly how fast is a matter of debate. While Verizon gives us its numbers in “real-world, fully-loaded network environment” terms, AT&T gives us no numbers, only the over-used “up to 10 times faster than 3G” tagline.

Spin it however you like, AT&T’s 28 LTE markets are not keeping up with Verizon’s 195. AT&T does have an advantage in its HSPA+ 3G networks, which is faster than Verizon’s 3G network. But with Verizon promising to have its entire 3G footprint covered in LTE goodness by 2014, AT&T needs to learn the meaning of the term “giddy-up.” A few well-placed speed details might not hurt either.

[PR Newswire | 2 | 3 via Android Police]