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AT&T Installing 4G LTE Network Equipment in Apple Retail Stores?
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I am not a network expert but those cables I saw in the photo before it was pulled, looked like OC3 to me (well above T-1). That would make the store capable of serving all users within a mile or two, even in a dense city with near full speed. So I presume this was the Grand Central or some other dense urban store it was in.
Free "WiFi" (HSPA+) on steroids.
Rocketman
Well I was afraid of the same thing if the LTE experience comes from the Static Fiber rather than regular cell spectrum or airlink it's totally dishonest and unreal experience to what's outside of the location. I doubt it's the Grand Central as the construction just started.
While not the Macbook specifically but a LTE modem. Anyone every wonder how Apple gets an internet connection to their Apple stores themselves ? How much do they have to pay Comcast/cable or some DSL provider for internet?
The first customers of LTE on Verizon were business customers (with modems), then comes laptops modem users , and then finally phones. If ATT is just rolling out LTE then some business customers with modems would be the first set of customers. ( the provider has to put some kind of diverse load on the towers to test what happens when people use the system in real life. Prior to phones arriving in bulk the next best thing to test load is some modems. )
Yeah, you're right. I'd be shocked if the iPhone 5 is that illusive AT&T LTE device we're due to see in 2011. It doesn't make any sense for them to be installing LTE equipment in an Apple Store for no reason though. Apple definitely caters to the GSM crowd though, so I wouldn't be flabbergasted if they left Verizon LTE out in favor of AT&T LTE. It would be a public snub though!
While only available in small parts of two cities, Finland has had commercial LTE since December 2010.
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A proper LTE chip would be a good enough reason for Apple to delay the iPhone 5 launch this far. I can't think of any other sensible reason.
Or the devices are for HS(D)PA+ and LTE, so AT&T doesn't have to install new devices in a year when the LTE iPhone actually does launch.
Maybe there will be a LTE iphone5.... But at what price?
Maybe they go 3 models, the cheaper prepaid variant, the upgraded 4, and the "pro" LTE version in limited quantities for those of you that can't wait??
Meanwhile, I need to know what the new nano might be like in order to plan some Christmas shopping!
Maybe they go 3 models, the cheaper prepaid variant, the upgraded 4, and the "pro" LTE version in limited quantities for those of you that can't wait??
Meanwhile, I need to know what the new nano might be like in order to plan some Christmas shopping!
This one points out that ATT will be distributing modems in next month or so... the most likely devices this Fall that will hook to their LTE network.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/atandt-shipping-hspa-lte-usbconnect-momentum-4g-and-elevate-4g/
But yes. Not only does ATT want TMobile spectrum for LTE it is probably is more likley that the TMobile spectrum (1700) will overlap with more Euro countries for LTE than the 700 being used by Verizon and ATT in the USA .
AT&T already owns pretty large amount of AWS spectrum and their LTE is being deployed by bonding two channels lower 700Mhz and 1700Mhz. T-Mo acquisition would only expand the spectrum that AT&T's been squatting on, but we probably wouldn't benefit from the acquisition for years to come...
Except that 9to5Mac reported that Verizon has also been adding LTE to Apple Stores as well!
http://9to5mac.com/2011/08/16/verizon-lte-is-also-being-installed-in-apple-stores/
I don't know what it means and I REALLY cannot imagine LTE even being an option for this generation but something must be going on.
That 9to5mac story is a total BS simply because Apple Stores have been already wired with Verizon's micro cells/donor antenna that carries all three frequencies 700/800/1900Mhz right around the time when Verizon iPhone 4 was launched back in January. If you go to Apple Store and use your Verizon LTE device, you'll have boosted LTE signal in the -60dBm range. Tried it myself many times since March of this year. Verizon doesn't have to do a single thing for a possible Verizon LTE iPhone launch.
That story is a living proof how blogs are trying to get more hits by writing as sensational news as possible.
But it would need specific equipment for LTE, no? Maybe Verizon included LTE equipment when they installed it initially?
No. You plant a donor antenna on the roof that picks up regular Verizon's Airlink, connect to a switch that redistributes all three frequencies to micro cells that are all over the building. So the micro cells (repeaters) simply redistribute the same feed from the roof, all three frequencies including 700Mhz Verizon's LTE.
Verizon's been ready for LTE iPhone since the beginning of the year and doesn't have to do a single thing to prepare Apple Stores for LTE.
On the other hand AT&T is activating two brand new bands lower 700Mhz and AWS so it's understandable for them to install brand new equipment.
I'm not that far outside of Boston and there are lot's of places that still only have EDGE.
You should consider Verizon as their LTE is pretty much all over Boston Metro. http://network4g.verizonwireless.com/pdf/VZW_4G_LTE_Coverage_Map.pdf
Unfortunately, LTE is still not in my home area, although Verizon 3G coverage is solid. Plus I wish they had a more accurate map.
Where I am the cellular providers are just rolling out 3G and because of that my cellular connection isn't working for the last 30 hours.
Works for christians
Just Christians eh? Because no other religion functions basically the exact same way...just a different flavor of Deity and parabol.
Everyone is right and everyone is wrong at the same time....we're only human after all.
Back to Apple....if they did manage to get LTE in the next premium iPhone release, I'm all for it, regardless of whether it's immediately available in the area....
I'm expecting Apple to pull out the stops...there's just too much competition not too right now.
huh? Vodafone and T-Mobile both have LTE for a while now here in Germany. it's a huge alternative for areas where broadband still isnt avab.
