Verizon announces 700MHz LTE plans -- can you wait 3 years?

by Thomas Ricker posted Apr 4th 2008 at 8:05AM

Verizon just announced its plans for the open-access "C block" and other chunks of the 700MHz spectrum it purchased from the FCC for almost $10B. As expected, it's going to provide high speed, 4G services in the form of LTE in the newly acquired spectrum. Of course, the 2010 launch is the same target stated by AT&T. Verizon also claims to have increased its spectrum inventory by about 60%. Before and after auction coverage shots over at Engadget.

Filed under: Verizon Wireless, Misc

Tags: 700mhz, breaking news, BreakingNews, fcc, lte, verizon, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless, vzw

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

byaah @ Apr 4th 2008 10:49AM

Lame.. but hopefully that will coincide with my next upgrade date if I stick with Verizon.

Neutral

Sunny Huang @ Apr 4th 2008 3:29PM

with its business model and phone selection, I'd never consider getting Verizon! Unless, Vodafone takes over control, which I don't think it will ever happen.

Highest Ranked

apjain @ Apr 4th 2008 3:49PM

It would be ridiculous to make a decision on 4G carrier selection based on the current situation. Verizon and Sprint have a limited phone selection because they are Qualcomm CDMA shops. With LTE, Verizon will have a much broader list of OEM partners and chipsets to work with. The Open Device Initiative is a first step to building those relationships.

Neutral

Seth A @ Apr 4th 2008 3:55PM

Wait, isn't LTE the natural path for GSM? Is Verizon jumping the rope to what is likely to become the international standard as GSM is now? Sure, its ages away, but the three largest Cell Providers in the US will finally be on the same technology, and all of them assuming Sprint goes under. Lol. Either way, still awhile away.

On another note, I sure would love to have Vodaphone here in the US, and I mean true Vodaphone, sure would help out with international calling and such when I travel. I assume one of the big reasons for Vodaphone not taking over Verizon is because they aren't GSM, they want a US GSM stake, proof when they tried to buy AT&T Wireless.

Neutral

DavidB @ Apr 4th 2008 5:20PM

@Seth Have you been sleeping for the past several months? Yes, VZW has said they will go LTE, thus moving away from CDMA.

Neutral

Penpower @ Apr 4th 2008 4:50PM

@apjain,

If we couldn't use past and current info to analysize/predict company's performance and future, what we can use then? Why investors use company's financial reports, events, and many of other factors to measure its stock's performance?

Open device or network? I think the first step for verizon to adopt so called "open device and open network" before switching to LTE is to stop crippling its own current devices' bluetooth, GPS and UI. You can't expect Verizon to change its closed/self-centered/conservative business model over night to adopt this toally new business idea. Unless the business philosophy that Verizon's management had been using since GTE changes completely, I don't think it will make too much difference when they switch to LTE. It is because their business philosophy directs management's actions and influences their decisions on business events.

Neutral

DavidB @ Apr 4th 2008 5:20PM

@Penpower:
Couldn't agree more. Until I see VZW stop crippling the devices they DO offer, hard to have ANY faith they won't in some way limit "open access" devices on their 700MHz spectrum. They'll just find some loophole in the rules.

Neutral

PG @ Apr 7th 2008 5:49PM

Well considering VZW is required to provide open access to the 700mhz band your whole issue with VZW disabling features on handset is pointless. You will be able to unlock any LTE handset and activate on VZW or AT&T's network so why are you bitching????

Neutral

elgee02 @ Apr 5th 2008 3:27PM

Both of you completely missed the point of the open access... wow

You don't want a device strait from VZW? That's fine, with open access, you can buy the device strait from Samsung, LG, etc and put it on VZW's network yourself.

Damn guys... I thought that part was obvious.

Neutral

youngcalihottie @ Apr 5th 2008 9:02AM

hopefully this will mean lte roaming agreements with the two largest us carriers? that would be great. "can anyone hear me now yet?" "yes, we've raised the bar finally!" :P

Highly Ranked

Gib @ Apr 5th 2008 2:43PM

Well since the time frame is the same as ATT's (as of now), what choice do we really have for 4G except wait?

Neutral

Joe B @ Apr 5th 2008 6:50PM

Verizon doesn't even take control of the spectrum they just purchased until next year anyway. That basically means they're aiming to have enough network set-up and tested in about a year to starting launching. That seems pretty reasonable.

Neutral

Sam Winter @ Apr 5th 2008 9:28PM

I'm still confused... Is Verizon's "LTE" deployment going to be HSOPA (emphasis on the 'O') ?? What are they doing with their CDMA/EVDO? Are there going to be dual-tech phones that run on LTE/HSOPA and then revert back to CDMA/EVDO if not in coverage?

What about AT&T? Is AT&T's "LTE" going to be HSOPA? Are they going to upgrade their current non-700mhz HSPA (HSDPA/HSUPA) network to HSPA+ ("HSPA plus")? Or are they skipping HSPA+ completely??

??

Neutral

engadget @ Apr 7th 2008 3:38PM

2010 is a pretty aggressive schedule considering all that has to be done to roll out a totally new technology across a large national footprint. As for the openess of said network, it is clear that there will be more open devices allowed on the network but it is not clear if there will be any shenanigans in the network using traffic shaping, filtering, deep packet inspection, service type rating/billing, etc. to keep as much of the value add and revenue in the Verizon camp as possible. Example: rumours that Google may deploy Skype VoIP clients on Android devices. I am not sure Verizon will be too thrilled with that concept without something more in it for Verizon.