Verizon 4G Phones – 6 Months Earlier Than Promised
CTO of Verizon 4G, Anthony Melone, has promised that the mobile phone company will start selling its first 4G phones by the middle of 2011.
Although Verizon have given no indication of a likely handset supplier, Melone pointed out the new time frame for the first Verizon 4G phone is six months earlier than previously expected.
He also confirmed that metered or tiered mobile data plans are more likely for the new phone service than the current selection of unlimited data plans, a view also shared by AT&T for its new network.
Verizon 4G Network Speed Results
The numbers from Verizon 4G are out and they look good. Based on testing in the Boston and Seattle areas, Verizon is saying publicly that average network speeds for a real life 4G network will be 5-12 Mbps for downloads and 2-5 Mbps for uploads.
That would make Verizon 4G one of the fastest phone networks in North America. The new network is due for launch in around 30 cities later this year, initially for non-phone devices like modems – Verizon compatible 4G phones aren’t expected in stores until 2011.
Verizon 4G – Two Months To Go
Executive vice president and CTO for Verizon 4G, Dirk Lynch, has confirmed the company is on track to launch its 4G phone network soon.
He said Verizon was in the final testing phase of its 4G technology and that the current testing in Boston and Seattle will be complete within 60 days. At that point, Verizon will announce the details of its commercial 4G rollout.
Previously, Verizon has promised to launch in 25 – 30 markets this year.
Verizon 4G iPhone To Be Announced Next Week
The word is that Apple will announce a number of new products at a special invitation only event next Wednesday – including the iPhone 4G for Verizon and the iPhone OS 4.0.
The supposed details of the iPhone 4G are:
* Made for Verizon
* Will also support European GSM & HSPA standards
* Version that fully supports 4G phone services expected by June 2011
Verizon 4G Phone Pricing: Usage Based
The cost of using a Verizon 4G phone will be usage based when the mobile phone company launches its 4G network later this year.
Flat rate pricing is likely to become a thing of the past to counter the “smartphone problem” – a recent survey by AT&T Mobility found that 3% of smartphone users generate 40% of a mobile phone operator’s data traffic.
Verizon says a likely pricing model is a base fee for 4G connection plus a charge for bandwidth.
4G Cars – You Car Will Get a Better Mobile Connection Than Your Phone
4G connected cars have been a big thing at tradeshow CES in Las Vegas, with car companies falling over themselves to demonstrate how mobile broadband internet access is a coming reality in cars.
While most concept cars use a standard 4G mobile phone connection to stream videos, traffic info and maps to cars, Alcatel-Lucent has been showcasing a custom Toyota Prius with its own built-in 4G / LTE mobile connection, effectively turning the Toyota into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
Speeds quoted have been five times that of 3G – at almost 15 Mbps. On occasion, speeds have hit 56 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload.
Mobile games are also on the cards. The founder of Game company GameStreamer said, “People passionately enjoy games and are already actively playing them through Internet connected devices such as PC’s, consoles and mobile phones. We felt enabling video games in a connected car was a natural addition to these devices and one game players will welcome with open arms.”
But let’s hope that doesn’t happen while they’re driving :-)
Although the 4G car remains only a concept for now, Alcatel-Lucent is busy building the Verizon 4G network – aiming to have the entire United States covered by 2013.
Verizon 4G Speeds
Verizon Wireless has announced to the world that the forthcoming Verizon 4G network will have average data speeds of 5-12Mbps for downloads and 2-5Mbps for uploads.
Verizon 4G is due to launch in 30 US markets in 2010. It also said it plans for Verizon 4G to match the footprint of the current 3G network by the end of 2013.
Verizon 4G, “On Track”
Verizon Wireless is on track to launch its 4G phone service in 25 – 30 coverage areas next year, says Verizon vice president and chief technology officer, Tony Melone.
Speaking at the LTE Americas 2009 Conference, he said the company was aware of doubts they would achieve the plan from within the mobile industry but said Verizon’s 4G plan was, “exactly where we expected (it) to be at this time. We fully expect to meet our deployment plan.”
Verizon Wireless expects to fully cover its nationwide 3G coverage area with 4G by the end of 2013 – meaning it will reach around 95% of the US population.
