Which Carrier for LTE?

[Steve B]

This is NOT intended to start any kind of flame war of who is better so please keep it civil. LOL I'm trying to get some info to help make future decisions. Anyway, I know that AT&T got several 700MHz regional licenses and VZW got a nationwide 700MHz license. I would like some input on which carrier has stated what exactly they plan to do. I heard different things. Obviously with AT&T and GSM, LTE is the next logical step. I've heard that VZW might use LTE for data only and still use CDMA for voice. However, I also heard that VZW will just make the full out right transition to LTE for both voice and data. I also would like some input on which carrier choice might be better better based on what true information is out there for LTE.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Steve B

This is NOT intended to start any kind of flame war of who is better so please keep it civil. LOL I'm trying to get some info to help make future decisions. Anyway, I know that AT&T got several 700MHz regional licenses and VZW got a nationwide 700MHz license. I would like some input on which carrier has stated what exactly they plan to do. I heard different things. Obviously with AT&T and GSM, LTE is the next logical step. I've heard that VZW might use LTE for data only and still use CDMA for voice. However, I also heard that VZW will just make the full out right transition to LTE for both voice and data. I also would like some input on which carrier choice might be better better based on what true information is out there for LTE.

Verizon and AT&T have both said their initial LTE deployment will be on 700 and 1700 MHz. It's possible (and likely) that there won't be any changes to the 850/1900 MHz bands for some years after LTE hits the market.

Verizon's nationwide license includes the open access requirement, which will probably only serve to make their service more expensive. I believe both AT&T and Verizon have the spectrum they need to cover the urban areas that they will target.

[Steve B]

Originally Posted by spleck

Verizon and AT&T have both said their initial LTE deployment will be on 700 and 1700 MHz. It's possible (and likely) that there won't be any changes to the 850/1900 MHz bands for some years after LTE hits the market.

Verizon's nationwide license includes the open access requirement, which will probably only serve to make their service more expensive. I believe both AT&T and Verizon have the spectrum they need to cover the urban areas that they will target.

Well making it more expensive would be a bad idea on VZWs part I think. I read somewhere that they will not support open access phones (non-VZW phones) except to only make sure its connecting properly.

Anyway, I'm curious on how they plan to do all that stuff. LOL

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by Steve B

Well making it more expensive would be a bad idea on VZWs part I think. I read somewhere that they will not support open access phones (non-VZW phones) except to only make sure its connecting properly.

Anyway, I'm curious on how they plan to do all that stuff. LOL

Actually because it's a world-wide standard (LTE) the network equipment and devices (phones, PDA's, aircards, embeded computers) will more than likely be cheaper (the reason GSM phones are more available than CDMA phones). So it should work out OK for everyone.

[Steve B]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44

Actually because it's a world-wide standard (LTE) the network equipment and devices (phones, PDA's, aircards, embeded computers) will more than likely be cheaper (the reason GSM phones are more available than CDMA phones). So it should work out OK for everyone.

Good point.