Verizon Demands LTE on all Future Equipment

[cereal killer]

If a manufacturer is unwilling to embed an LTE radio into their equipement then they should just shop their goods elsewhere. That means every smartphone, wireless hot spot, tablet, and Netbook. From Android to Windows and everything in between, LTE or no go. There is but one exception and that is the push-to-talk devices. Those operate over their 4G network and until that is moved over they will remain the exception.

Windows handsets will not be left out. Keith Lampron, Verizon's Associate Director of device marketing, said they have every intention of supporting Windows phones.

Verizon is on a tear with their LTE network and they are not stopping for anybody or anything. Big Red says it's on track to complete its LTE infrastructure by the end of 2013. They currently cover 190 markets and 200 million people.

The LTE train is picking up steam folks and what a wild ride it's been so far. With the many outages experienced by customers, Lampron is putting things in perspective "We're paving the way here for the rest of the world on LTE."

Source: GigaOm

[kodiak799]

Well, I guess Apple better get their stuff together, then!

[VirtualCLD]

It wouldn't surprise me if Verizon already has an understanding with Apple (or vice versa) that the next iPhone will have LTE. However, I could be completely wrong. If they had to put LTE on there for Verizon, then they would probably want to make sure they have LTE for AT&T, but I believe AT&T's LTE network operates on a different frequency than Verizon's.

[johnomaz]

I doubt Apple will have LTE soon and I bet Verizon will allow it. If I was other phone manufactures and that happened, Verizon wouldn't get any phones for a while. We'll see I guess.

[nikecar]

I think VZW CAN tell folks this is the new way. Its like Apple with the iPhone before saying this is what we demand if you want an iPhone.

since VZW has the largest 4G (argue sprint/tmo all you want) that for all purposes works, and they can now say if you want to be on this network, you need LTE.

I think later on they cannot when ATT comes on line, but for now, yes.

[rubiksc00p]

Ahh! Great move! Let's just hope that by then we don't get outages every week!

Sent from the best phone on Verizon!

[kodiak799]

I doubt Apple will have LTE soon and I bet Verizon will allow it. If I was other phone manufactures and that happened, Verizon wouldn't get any phones for a while. We'll see I guess.

I'm fairly certain the next IPhone will be LTE-capable. Now the IPad3 (or will it be an IPad 2S?) that supposedly may be launching in a few months might be a different story. I'm sure VZW will have some sort of loophole applying to devices "BEGINNING" development from this day forward.

In a way, the guideline is kind of unnecessary. Aside from Apple, the more widespread VZW LTE network becomes the more it makes no sense for an OEM to launch a 3G-only device.

[Nealius]

And how long before VZW increases its data rates? Mid 2013 would be my guess.

[kodiak799]

And how long before VZW increases its data rates? Mid 2013 would be my guess.

Yes, let's start complaining about actions yet to be taken, even when such complaints have routinely proven to be unfounded in the past. The trend, even recently (4gb promotion plans), has been value creation rather than paying more for the same quality/service. That's certainly been the direction in home broadband.

[metalspring]

this idea is pretty much common sense, especially considering you can always disable 4g if you arent in a 4g area...its kind of like having wifi, if you are in range of it of course you want it on, however if you arent then you might as well turn it off and what smart phones arent wifi capable these days?