MetroPCS Choses LTE for 4G

[Ddeere2]

MetroPCS recently announced that it would be using Long Term Evolution (LTE) for its upcoming 4G network. While MetroPCS currently operates its own CDMA network, LTE is on the upgrade path for GSM networks, meaning the move will be a technology shift for the carrier. It is hardly an unprecedented change, though, since both Verizon and Alltel announced similar CDMA to LTE upgrade plans earlier this year. GSM/UMTS based AT&T is also planning to use LTE.

LTE offers downlink speeds of up to 386Mbps, and upload speeds of nearly 86Mbps. Latency is also dramatically reduced, and LTE should offer more efficient use of spectrum licenses - one of the reasons CDMA carriers are turning to LTE. MetroPCS did not give any information as to when it would begin testing and rolling out this upgraded network.
MetroPCS goes LTE for 4G network

Wow, just about everyone, aside from Sprint and maybe Tmobile, is going with LTE. I don't know much about MetroPCS, but do they even have a 3G network or do they have roaming agreements with other carriers?

[Matt]

I don't think T-Mobile USA has said anything about 4G yet, but I thought one of their European affiliates already announced LTE, so I assumed T-Mobile would go to LTE. I don't think any major GSM/UMTS carrier will go anyhere else.

[Ddeere2]

Yeah, but what about AT&T currently fielding WiMax. I think I put up a thread about it. I was surprised when I saw that they were. But knowing that everyone is going to LTE, would this lead to better coverage and/or more roaming agreements?

[Blue4Life]

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I was under the impression that AT&T (not AT&T Mobility) was only using WiMAX as a fixed wireless solution in areas where it wasn't feasible to deploy DSL.

[hillbilly44]

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I was under the impression that AT&T (not AT&T Mobility) was only using WiMAX as a fixed wireless solution in areas where it wasn't feasible to deploy DSL.

You are correct. LTE is the natural evolution to UMTS/HSPA. I doubt WiMax will last very long with LTE coming out.

[Ddeere2]

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I was under the impression that AT&T (not AT&T Mobility) was only using WiMAX as a fixed wireless solution in areas where it wasn't feasible to deploy DSL.

Yeah, but didn't AT&T leave the possibility to deploy WiMAX . In that thread I posted about AT&T having WiMAX deployments it said “AT&T may be hedging its bets by keeping its toes wet in matters WiMax. This may be more important in the future, when WiMax standards at the 700 MHz level emerge.” But then again, I'm probably wrong because they just may utilize it like spleck said that they're going to use WiMAX for data applications and LTE for voice and data for phones. Pretty interesting how just about everyone is jumping on the 'GSM" bandwagon.

[M in LA]

It makes sense Metro would choose LTE, especially since it's unlikely there'll be a CDMA network for them to roam on in the future (2011???).

[spleck]

Pretty interesting how just about everyone is jumping on the 'GSM" bandwagon.

I personally refuse to consider LTE part of the "GSM bandwagon". LTE is Rev. 8 of UMTS, which "replaced" GSM.

I never liked GSM other than the capability for SIMs, which doesn't make up for using a TDMA air interface. Bring on the OFDMA goodness!

[bobolito]

Well, like it or not, UMTS is also known as 3GSM. Don't confuse GSM's 2G air interface with its branding. GSM is also a brand used by the GSMA to market global technology standards such as UMTS, HSDPA and now LTE.

Also, GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communications and there's no doubt that LTE will become the global standard for mobile communications just like its 2G and 3G iterations did. That's why it's called the "GSM bandwagon". And guess who will be marketing LTE technology: the GSMA!

[spleck]

n/m

blahblahblah

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

You are correct. LTE is the natural evolution to UMTS/HSPA. I doubt WiMax will last very long with LTE coming out.

dont get your hopes up.......my membership on this forum says that LTE will not squash WiMax but WiMax will not squash LTE

[Blue4Life]

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Yeah, but didn't AT&T leave the possibility to deploy WiMAX . In that thread I posted about AT&T having WiMAX deployments it said “AT&T may be hedging its bets by keeping its toes wet in matters WiMax. This may be more important in the future, when WiMax standards at the 700 MHz level emerge.” But then again, I'm probably wrong because they just may utilize it like spleck said that they're going to use WiMAX for data applications and LTE for voice and data for phones. Pretty interesting how just about everyone is jumping on the 'GSM" bandwagon.

Is it a possibility that AT&T (not AT&T Mobility) would use WiMAX as a way of extending their reach into other areas that would allow them to compete with Verizon & Qwest on their own turf?

From what I recall, the former AT&T (before SBC acquired them) was considering deploying WiMAX to compete with the four remaining baby bells (Verizon, SBC, BellSouth, & Qwest) after their line access fees were no longer available at lower government set rates. As a result of some of these developments, two long distance operators (AT&T & MCI) found it very difficult to compete with the baby bells and were eventually acquired.

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

Has anyone heard of LPC Global?

They claim to have 4G technology for their phones and are launching in the US September 15th.

Their signaute phone will be the Nokia N95 8gb and are marketing it as the global bridge phone.

I signed up to be a rep, as if they have the technology and plans they claim to, people will flock to them from other carriers. Only time will tell.

[KyleAndMelissa22]

Has anyone heard of LPC Global?

I signed up to be a rep, as if they have the technology and plans they claim to,
people will flock to them from other carriers. Only time will tell.

Not exactly, the top 5 have a long history and a much larger network.
Do a little more research, just because they may have 4G doesn't make them the best choice.

I'm just the opposite, I'd run from 4G, , I have no need for it,
I'm happy with my 2G phone, using about 10,000 minutes per month.

I've never used 3G, 4G, heck I've never sent or received a picture or video message .
I disabled text messaging on my phone as well.

[Blue4Life]

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Has anyone heard of LPC Global?

They claim to have 4G technology for their phones and are launching in the US September 15th.

Their signaute phone will be the Nokia N95 8gb and are marketing it as the global bridge phone.

I signed up to be a rep, as if they have the technology and plans they claim to, people will flock to them from other carriers. Only time will tell.

If their signature phone is the Nokia N95, they could only legitimately claim that they support 3G technology (assuming their network supports 3G service on the 850 & 1900 MHz bands). If I had to guess, I would say that they would probably operate as an MVNO on AT&T's 3G network.

3G & 4G is mainly a benefit for customers who are looking for faster data service.

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

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If their signature phone is the Nokia N95, they could only legitimately claim that they support 3G technology (assuming their network supports 3G service on the 850 & 1900 MHz bands). 3G & 4G is mainly a benefit for customers who are looking for faster data service. If I had to guess, I would say that they would probably operate as an MVNO on AT&T's 3G network.

The n95 phone that they will be carrying will be exclusive for LPC Global. It is not on the market so I guess you can't really say that they can only legitimately claim 3G. Their technology isn't like anything else out there. This is what LPC is saying.

[Blue4Life]

Nokia - Technical specifications - Nokia N95 8GB support
This 3G phone has been on the market for quite a while.

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying.

The Nokia n95 that will be LPC's is NOT on the market. It is a BRIDGE phone NOT a normal CELL phone.

You can't GOOGLE it because it's NOT there yet.

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

Not exactly, the top 5 have a long history and a much larger network.
Do a little more research, just because they may have 4G doesn't make them the best choice.

I'm just the opposite, I'd run from 4G, , I have no need for it,
I'm happy with my 2G phone, using about 10,000 minutes per month.

I've never used 3G, 4G, heck I've never sent or received a picture or video message .
I disabled text messaging on my phone as well.

I didn't say b/c they have 4G that everyone will flock to them.

Their service is not set up like current cell service. Like I said, it's a NEW technology and if it's everything they say it's going to be, people WILL flock to it.

$24.95 a month for unlimited service? Hmmm, I don't know anyone that offers that.

[Charlyee]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying.

The Nokia n95 that will be LPC's is NOT on the market. It is a BRIDGE phone NOT a normal CELL phone.

You can't GOOGLE it because it's NOT there yet.

Hmm, something sounds quite fishy in here. The phone is going to be launched in 2 weeks and it cannot be googled for? I find that very hard to believe. My gut feeling is that you are here to advertise for LPC Global, if I am wrong please explain. Thanks

Has anyone heard of LPC Global?

They claim to have 4G technology for their phones and are launching in the US September 15th.

Their signaute phone will be the Nokia N95 8gb and are marketing it as the global bridge phone.
I signed up to be a rep, as if they have the technology and plans they claim to, people will flock to them from other carriers. Only time will tell.

[spleck]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying.

The Nokia n95 that will be LPC's is NOT on the market. It is a BRIDGE phone NOT a normal CELL phone.

You can't GOOGLE it because it's NOT there yet.

So why you use an OLD phone for a NEW technology? Why not the N96?

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

Hmm, something sounds quite fishy in here. The phone is going to be launched in 2 weeks and it cannot be googled for? I find that very hard to believe. My gut feeling is that you are here to advertise for LPC Global, if I am wrong please explain. Thanks

Nope, no advertising.

I am not exactly a "techie" and there is a lot that they are claming and I wanted to hear other peoples opinions.

I have heard a great deal of information from the company. It sounds like great stuff, but I wanted to hear if anyone else heard anything and their opinions.

Myself, I hate their website. Not much detail. Everything was done by way of webinars.

I called Nokia to ask them about it and they said they know of the bridge phone technology, but he said to his departments (customer service) knowledge, they had not implimented it yet.

If anyone else knows of them, please let me know what you think.

[MyFreeGlobalPhone]

So why you use an OLD phone for a NEW technology? Why not the N96?

Not sure what their reasonings are. Maybe that was who LPC Global could get an exclusive contract with. Like I said, this is just the information they have said.

There are several smartphones to choose from not just the n95.

[M in LA]

Has anyone heard of LPC Global?

They claim to have 4G technology for their phones and are launching in the US September 15th.

Their signaute phone will be the Nokia N95 8gb and are marketing it as the global bridge phone.

I signed up to be a rep, as if they have the technology and plans they claim to, people will flock to them from other carriers. Only time will tell.

What does this have to do with MetroPCS's choice of LTE for their 4G path?

Why not start a different thread instead of hijacking this one.

I suggest we get back to the actual topic of this thread.