Verizon launching LTE trials this year, commercial network in 2010
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Feb 18th 2009 at 12:46PM
Verizon went a step beyond simply revealing its LTE infrastructure partners at MWC this week (they're Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson if you're curious), announcing that it'll actually have live networks in action by the end of the year. Two lucky to-be-named cities will be recipients of the 4G action -- which sounds suspiciously similar to Sprint and Clearwire's current WiMAX situation -- where the company will get a better sense of the data rates commercial users can expect. Speaking of commercial users, they'll be added into the mix come next year in 25 to 30 to markets. With a clear path for continued HSPA evolution up to double-digit Mbps under its belt, AT&T is pretending like it's not feeling the heat here -- but there've got to be a few beads of sweat forming on executive foreheads at this point.[Via Unwired View]
Filed under: Verizon Wireless, LTE
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
andrew @ Feb 18th 2009 1:01PM
Go Verizon I can't wait for 4G speeds hopefully i wont have to get the storm 2 because they got higher speeds. I hope my current unit just picks it up.
jdawg9 @ Feb 18th 2009 1:52PM
I wont work. Don't get your hopes up. LTE uses a different standard, technology, equipment, frequency, etc etc. Verizon finally decided to get with the standards after losing TONS of potential INTL ROAMING revenues, limited CDMA phone selections, amongst other reason. I'm still glad I left them years ago b/c I know they will find other ways to cripple their devices and technology even after adopting a world standard.
Kyle @ Feb 18th 2009 1:18PM
So what exactly will the entail? Is LTE basically "4G"? Will this just be faster speeds basically? Even close to WiFi? Will it be cheaper?
andrew @ Feb 18th 2009 2:02PM
It is supposed to be faster than wifi I forget the speeds but i think it is around 10 Mbs as apposed to 700 Kbs Cable speeds are around 1.4Mbs
pete @ Feb 18th 2009 2:06PM
Yes LTE is 4G... The article says 60Mbps which is alot faster then most people's Cable or DSL Connections which are between 5 - 15Mbps.... so yes it is faster then WiFi which is 54Mbps (802.11g). Don't forget with WiFi you are still limited by your ISP's internet connection speed to your home which is still 5 - 15Mbps.
Don Louie @ Feb 18th 2009 1:17PM
I see this putting a fire under Sprint and thier WiMax plans, these are really lofty goals they have set especially now the AT&T won't have LTE til '14
Henry @ Feb 18th 2009 3:14PM
A lot of good all this high speed data does us with the ridiculous, cheapskate data caps these providers put on our access.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread - XBL: SoCoolCurt) @ Feb 18th 2009 8:08PM
i know what u mean man. i tether now with EV-DO speeds and that 'unlimited' 5GB soft cap is ridiculous. especially when you figure in that it cost more than my home connection (which has no limits by the way)
james @ Feb 18th 2009 3:40PM
don't worry AT&T and Verizon especially will find creative ways to cripple their devices and not being compatible with the rest of the world. USA USA USA
Rob21i @ Feb 18th 2009 7:13PM
We were told it would be phoenix or vegas
ananimus3 @ Feb 19th 2009 4:53PM
Yeesh... Sprint better get their butt back in gear. So much for their lead in 4G timetables.
Also, will I feel my brain cooking if I live near an LTE tower?