Verizon Wireless to accelerate LTE, keep CDMA and lower data prices
Speaking at Ericsson AB’s annual capital markets day in Boston on Thursday, Verizon Wireless CTO Tony Melone candidly discussed the future of Verizon Wireless’ network. As has been discussed before, Verizon is on a fast track to roll out LTE over 700MHz. The carrier plans to begin “phase four” trials in a few select markets by the end of 2009, deploy the 4G service commercially in 2010 and rapidly accelerate expansion in 2011 and 2012. As Big Red begins the adoption of LTE, what will happen to its current CDMA and EV-DO offerings? According to Melone, Verizon’s CDMA/1xRTT network is very stable for voice services and will remain in place until 2018 or even 2020. The EV-DO network will have a much shorter life span with its current 3G technology being replaced quickly by LTE. No mention of GSM so it looks like those rumors of Verizon Wireless moving to GSM on the way to LTE are indeed false.
In some potentially good news for customers, Melone admitted that Verizon will have to lower prices on data services to remain competitive as high speed mobile broadband continues to expand. He stated that “Pricing is inhibiting the growth of this market. Quite frankly, this is likely to change even before LTE.” Hopefully, the other executives at Verizon share his view on data pricing and implement lower prices sooner rather than later.
[Via DSL Reports]
This is ok news but I personally won’t be jumping for joy until a damn touch screen/QWERTY keyboard phone with a big screen and a great UI is rumored and then announced as coming to Verizon. That’s it.
I don’t know how long I can hold out though because other carriers are releasing great phones while Verizon is just resting on its laurels and sitting on their hands it seems like. I’m sick of all these business only, mediocre Win-Mo and Blackberry phones coming out. I’m going to start looking into switching carriers if something isn’t at least announced soon.
There are literally no decent consumer smart phones on Verizon right now. Even the choices between the poor ones that are out is limited. That’s ridiculous to me. I’m dying over here.
^^ go get yourself an iphone…
he’s right. the price is a HUGE deterrent. i know plenty of people who wouldn’t mind paying $10 and maybe even $15 a month for data, but when it starts creeping up towards $20-$30, they start rethinking whether it’s really worth it. A bunch of people I know would hop right on the BlackBerry bandwagon if the price were just right.
I’m not sold this is not going GSM, it would make sense for vzw to jump on the gsm wagon, they would get much cheaper phones, and be more in line with their daddy vodaphone.
LTE is not going to make wifi go away, many buildings block a signal, government buildings go deep underground. Wifi will always be around my friend. LTE doesn’t break laws of physics.
1. Verizon always has been and always will be one of the most expensive carriers. Talking about lowering prices while not actually doing it is just a slap in the face.
2. LTE, WiMAX, who the fuck cares if one is a world standard or not. Do you want 4G without contracts and limits ASAP that has been building out rapidly, or do you wanna wait longer for something that likely will be half crippled anyway and still not work internationally for even more years. Remember Europe is doing theirs in different frequencies then 700Mhz (ie this is what Verizon is using).
3. Stop comparing business model of Verizon and Sprint. Verizon has a moneytree for a father yet never ever once done anything innovative. They wait to see what happens, then they do whatever everyone else is doing. Sprint on the otherhand has put themselves strategically in the front to experiment and fail or succeed. So when Verizon does something spectacular, let’s not compare.
4. LTE will NOT replace WiFi cause carriers are Nazis and don’t like to unlimit data or its speed. HSPA is capable of cable internet busting speeds yet I only get 400kbps…I’m sure LTE will be much much slower then uts capable because carriers again, are Nazis
glad to see the other Don Louie isn’t a sheep for Sprint, does sound like one for LTE
Looks like somebody else knows that isn’t me, I’ll use this name going foward
In response to JB, Roger A & Don Louie, WiMax chips will be integrated to all cable equipment, add that to coverage. Another very important thing are our backers,,,look them up you will be surprised. Many of our content comes from these MSO that’s why they keep “spinning off”. I wont say much more, these are only hints on where to look. And in regards to the Sprint thing, yes the billing has been terrible, CS in general, and store employees. But Sprint has its roots, always innovative, daring and the best one is they always have a way to change the market in benefit to us customers.
@ David Thande
The Iphone doesn’t have a QWERTY keyboard does it? Right.
I’m actually thinking about going to Sprint for the Palm Pre. I have to wait until the phone is released to see how its going to be before I make a decision. I’m actually hoping Verizon at least announces a good phone from now until then but the chances of that are slim. I guess Verizon doesn’t want a great consumer smart phone. They must be content to have Blackberries and worse versions of shitty WinMo phones that have been out on other carriers for months.
Sucks for me.
@ Keith, I have the Storm and a Curve 8900. Love the touch screen but as for now even with the i phone I can’t stand backspacing over and over again because my chubby fingers hit the wrong letter. And for the most part I’m content with my 8900 although I’m waiting on the 9630 to get it unlocked. Palm was my very first smartphone…and I like Palm because at the time they had retail stores around and if I had questions or needed a repair I could go there and problem would be solved. Aside from the Carrier store that was vague and offered me a new phone off of contract at retail. So I’m looking forward to the Pre. But its not out yet folks so until I’m watching videos of Mariah Carey on you tube on it. I can wait to compare. Verizon does suck when it comes to their smart phone offerings, but they do have probably the best network. But we shall see what they have up their sleeves. With today’s announcement * AT&T to buy territories from Verizon for $2.35B.
@ Dave
Yeah, *that* announcement is interesting for places where you got 10 cow’s per person. Its SO rural who cares
ok just letting you know t mobile is definately not #1. ive been hung up on by their customer service almost every time and had stalkers from the previous user of my number harass me because the line was only rested for a couple of months. not only that but any change in your plan will lock you in for another year and their phones are junk and easily taken advantage of when tolen because of the trading of sim cards lastly ive had vzw and tmobile for two years both and BELIEVE ME you get what you pay for especially when you think about coverage and customer service. vzw is capable of way more. just letting you t-mobile lovers know that soon i’ll hapily pay the rediculous etf fee and jump back to vzw instead.
So if verizon goes this route they are planning will we be able to for example be on the phone and surf the internet or will it still be the same? Just curious to know.