Next iPhone Will Reportedly Have "Global [4G] LTE Support"

[TC25]

That's the carriers' fault, not Apple's.
American cellular companies suck.
LTE technology is separate from GSM/UTMS and CDMA/EV-DO.

Won't get LTE in New Zealand until least 2014... But hopefully the iPhone will work on it!

No UK carriers currently offer LTE.

Singapore is just starting to roll out 4G, though the current plans cost a bomb.

Not in the UK where no phones have LTE haha.

Indeed. Very greedy, they are.

the chinese vendors has no LTE nets for apple now.
is that right ?

Clearly, at least 2 people don't have a clue about what non-US carriers offer, or don't offer, and yet only US carriers 'suck' or they are 'greedy', i.e., the standard posts of non-thinkers.

 

[Mr. Milk]

Too little and too late. Android FTW

The news were about a phone, not an operating system. Do you know the difference?

 

[Pulsedriver81]

Because some people like streaming content on a very small screen

No, really we should just admit the truth. We're geeks. Speed for its own sake, even without a purpose, is just cool.

Res ipsa locquitor.

.

Yes, we're geeks. But I work in the telecom business and I can clearly say that there's a high demand for LTE in Sweden among average users. I just don't see the big difference between LTE and 3G on a smartphone except for future cloud services that another member here nicely put it.

 

[makingdots]

 I just don't see the big difference between LTE and 3G on a smartphone except for future cloud services that another member here nicely put it.

faster downloads/buffering = less network choke = happy consumers

 

[kemal]

One LTE for All iPad?

So if the iPad is to go through a refresh, will it gain the new LTE chip? Will someone finally be able to pick their data carrier with their iPad?

 

[Brumpa]

iPhone 5 LTE testing ongoing ...

Will this new world iPhone work on Telstra's 4g network in Australia or will we miss out again like with the iPad. I'm just wondering if Telstra decided to use some weird sort of 4g that no one else in the rest of the world is going to use.

I know Apple have been testing iPhone 5 on the Optus LTE network in Sydney. No doubt they've also been testing on Telstra LTE, so you should be fine ...

 

[bigchrisfgb]

Already Orange and T-Mobile have licences to operate the new format. O2 is predicted to follow suit in early 2013. Faster speeds on my new phone? Yes please.

It's shocking how Everything everywhere (Orange/T-Mobile) have been given a licence despite OFCOM refusing to even start the bidding process for everyone else. Originally OFCOM stated that the main winning bidder had to guarantee 99.9% coverage across the UK and the 2nd and 3rd highest bidders would have to guarantee about 90% coverage which would overlap the 1% the first bidder didn't cover. Now Everything everywhere have stormed in, got a hold of a LTE licence without having to increase their coverage which has shown from customer feedback (me included) that their current coverage statistics aren't anywhere near what they claim to be. They are getting a head start on their competitors before they can even bid for an LTE licence never mind roll out one which is now expected to happen in 2014.

Everything everywhere don't even have to increase their current coverage area, they are just allowed to go ahead and install LTE on their current mast locations.

I just hope that everyone realises that Orange/T-Mobile's service and coverage area is crap and that won't change with LTE.

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Fast downloads/buffering = less server choke = happy consumers.

These services aren't just for smart phones though, they are for tablet computers and dongles. It's great if you live in the middle of nowhere where fast landline internet connections aren't available. In the UK they want people who live in the countryside to use 4g technology instead of digging up miles of road, and land in order for every town and village to get fibre optic phones lines.

 

[stridemat]

It's shocking how Everything everywhere (Orange/T-Mobile) have been given a licence despite OFCOM refusing to even start the bidding process for everyone else. Originally OFCOM stated that the main winning bidder had to guarantee 99.9% coverage across the UK and the 2nd and 3rd highest bidders would have to guarantee about 90% coverage which would overlap the 1% the first bidder didn't cover. Now Everything everywhere have stormed in, got a hold of a LTE licence without having to increase their coverage which has shown from customer feedback (me included) that their current coverage statistics aren't anywhere near what they claim to be. They are getting a head start on their competitors before they can even bid for an LTE licence never mind roll out one which is now expected to happen in 2014.

Everything everywhere don't even have to increase their current coverage area, they are just allowed to go ahead and install LTE on their current mast locations.

I just hope that everyone realises that Orange/T-Mobile's service and coverage area is crap and that won't change with LTE.

I don't honestly see the problem with it (apart from the lack of competition for about a year). They already have the spectrum so why not?

 

[tann]

I don't honestly see the problem with it (apart from the lack of competition for about a year). They already have the spectrum so why not?

This!

Don't hold back one company just because everyone else doesn't have spectrum.

I read earlier that some parts of the UK are only NOW having their analogue tv turned off! It's happening so slow!

 

[Azzin]

I thought this maybe the case due to the coincidence that Everything Everywhere (UK) Owner of Orange and T-Mobile the day before the Iphone event is releasing its LTE 4G network!

Should be interesting here in the UK!

That's not strictly true.

Whilst EE have been the go ahead by Ofcom to launch 4G on their spectrum from Sept 11th, it doesn't mean they can/will.

However, EE are holding a conference on that day (confirmed yesterday I think), but that's believed to be about a new brand they are launching.

That said, it will surely be a 4G service, but there's nothing concrete (yet) regarding a service launch date.

 

[FuNGi]

I´m seriously interested in understanding the need for LTE on a smartphone...-snip-

About mobile broadband here in sweden...
Every contract (on all carriers) that offers 3G or even 4G has a datalimit. -snip-

Hi, I'm moving to Sweden in 6 months and plan on bringing an unlocked iP4S. Are there prepaid plans in SE or must you have a contract?

 

[bigchrisfgb]

This!

Don't hold back one company just because everyone else doesn't have spectrum.

I read earlier that some parts of the UK are only NOW having their analogue tv turned off! It's happening so slow!

You mean you don't see how it's unfair that all the telecoms companies in the UK were told that you can't have 4g yet until the TV signals have been turned off and you have to outbid each other for the networks and you have to have guarantees in place in order for to be offering your services to pretty much everyone one and not just the high usage areas. Then one company comes along, doesn't have to take part in the bidding process, doesn't have to wait and doesn't have to give guarantee's that everyone can access their network apart from those in already developed areas?

----------

That's not strictly true.

Whilst EE have been the go ahead by Ofcom to launch 4G on their spectrum from Sept 11th, it doesn't mean they can/will.

However, EE are holding a conference on that day (confirmed yesterday I think), but that's believed to be about a new brand they are launching.

That said, it will surely be a 4G service, but there's nothing concrete (yet) regarding a service launch date.

Yes this new brand will only be for their 4g network. It may not launch immediately but it sure as heel will launch before Christmas.

 

[theluggage]

It's shocking how Everything everywhere (Orange/T-Mobile) have been given a licence despite OFCOM refusing to even start the bidding process for everyone else.

What Everything Everywhere got was a license to use the spectrum they already 'owned'. The merger between T-Mobile and Orange left Everything Everywhere with enough spare, existing, spectrum to launch 4G.

The OFCOM auction is for new spectrum freed up by the end of analogue TV broadcasts. Vodafone, O2, & 3 need this to launch 4G. However, switchover wasn't finished until this year - and there are still issues with possible interference with Digital TV in some overlap areas that need to be addressed.

 

[bigchrisfgb]

What Everything Everywhere got was a license to use the spectrum they already 'owned'. The merger between T-Mobile and Orange left Everything Everywhere with enough spare, existing, spectrum to launch 4G.

The OFCOM auction is for new spectrum freed up by the end of analogue TV broadcasts. Vodafone, O2, & 3 need this to launch 4G. However, switchover wasn't finished until this year - and there are still issues with possible interference with Digital TV in some overlap areas that need to be addressed.

True, but misleading.
They are allowed to upgrade their current masts in order to implement 4g technology, they do not already own a 4g spectrum.

The whole point in the OFCOM bidding process was to ensure that those who do not live in built up areas can not only gain access to 4g technology but can even get a signal, so manly places in the countryside don't even get a signal. Not only that but these same places suffer from a lack of quality phone lines meaning they in some cases can't even gain access to broadband speeds and if they can for the most part they are slow broadband speeds.

The OFCOM bidding process was designed to end that, so people can get a phone signal in these places but also can gain access to broadband speed data.

Orange/T-Mobile have came in and just done away with all that, I doubt now that Orange/T-Mobile will invest in these areas where as those following the original rules from OFCOM will have to do this.

OFCOM got caught up in all the bad publicity about other European countries already having 4g spectrums and the UK not doing so, so they fell for Orange/T-Mobiles bid ti implement it now.

What OFCOM don't realise is though is that in other European countries the 4G networks area like what Orange's/T-Moibles network will be, all covering the major cities and urban areas but not covering elsewhere.

 

[pipa]

I´m seriously interested in understanding the need for LTE on a smartphone...
Can someone explain this to me? I understand the benefits if you want to replace your existing ADSL broadband or even cable broadband (Not fibre) with a mobile broadband that delivers higher speeds. But not entirely...I´ll explain why later...

What I do not understand is the need for the speed on a smartphone. The iPhone 4s delivers speeds to about 14 Mbit on 3G network, what do you do on your smartphone that demands higher speeds? Do you want to download apps 2 sek faster? Do you want pages to load 1 sek faster in safari? Do you want to recieve the mail 0,5 sek faster? I just don´t get it.

About mobile broadband here in sweden...
Every contract (on all carriers) that offers 3G or even 4G has a datalimit. The datalimit differ from contract to contract and from carrier to carrier. On mobile broadband the limits offered are between 1 GB to about 50 GB/ month. The problem here is that when you download movies, songs, games and play online regularly, you exceed this limit in about a day or two. That´s why it is not an option for most users to replace the existing broadband at home. I understand the use for it for students or people that travel alot, bur other than that, i don´t see the point. Even less if you have a smartphone that you can use as a mobile broadbandmodem (tethering).

Conclusions are that if you travel alot and have a smartphone, you can tether with an ipad or computer and would therefore benefit from higher speeds. For normal users that travel between home and work and use their smartphone only would not need the higher speeds...

What do you guys think?

Yes I want to load pages 1 second faster. Yes I want to download apps faster. I agree it's not a huge deal, but if the tech is out there, then yes I want it.

 

[dewski]

I´m seriously interested in understanding the need for LTE on a smartphone...
Can someone explain this to me? I understand the benefits if you want to replace your existing ADSL broadband or even cable broadband (Not fibre) with a mobile broadband that delivers higher speeds. But not entirely...I´ll explain why later...

What I do not understand is the need for the speed on a smartphone. The iPhone 4s delivers speeds to about 14 Mbit on 3G network, what do you do on your smartphone that demands higher speeds? Do you want to download apps 2 sek faster? Do you want pages to load 1 sek faster in safari? Do you want to recieve the mail 0,5 sek faster? I just don´t get it.

About mobile broadband here in sweden...
Every contract (on all carriers) that offers 3G or even 4G has a datalimit. The datalimit differ from contract to contract and from carrier to carrier. On mobile broadband the limits offered are between 1 GB to about 50 GB/ month. The problem here is that when you download movies, songs, games and play online regularly, you exceed this limit in about a day or two. That´s why it is not an option for most users to replace the existing broadband at home. I understand the use for it for students or people that travel alot, bur other than that, i don´t see the point. Even less if you have a smartphone that you can use as a mobile broadbandmodem (tethering).

Conclusions are that if you travel alot and have a smartphone, you can tether with an ipad or computer and would therefore benefit from higher speeds. For normal users that travel between home and work and use their smartphone only would not need the higher speeds...

What do you guys think?

i want it purely for streaming content. I use a slingbox and i have problems streaming on 3g and when it does work, it is not the highest quality. Also using the netflix app. the speed isnt needed for facebook and twitter updates, but there are other uses for the phone that maybe you dont take advantage of.

 

[Pulsedriver81]

Hi, I'm moving to Sweden in 6 months and plan on bringing an unlocked iP4S. Are there prepaid plans in SE or must you have a contract?

There are a lot of choices between different carriers for prepaid plans here.
I'll try to give you some advice since I work in the telecom business.

The carriers:

Telia - swedens largest carrier and the first in the world to offer 4G.
Pros: has the best overall coverage on its networks. Good if you travel a lot around the country.
Cons: the most expensive carrier

Tele2/comviq - one of the cheapest carriers (many kids in the age up to age 20 use this carrier)
Pros: one of the cheapest if not THE cheapest carrier and has many different prepaid plans to choose from.
Cons: medium level coverage, acceptable/good coverage in the citys but not up north of Sweden or smaller citys.

Telenor - used to be Vodafone and has its price level between Telia and Tele2. They have good 4G network, even better than Telia according to latest test results.
Pros: good 4G network coverage and speeds
Cons: horrible personal and salespeople, is not the best choice for price and/or coverage if you plan on.living in a larger city. Is always in between other carriers.

3 - the best carrier for 3G. Uses only the 3G network and has no gsm network. Still it has really good coverage and delivers the fastest speeds with good coverage in the larger cities.
Pros: fastest 3G network with the best 3G coverage but not the best overall coverage. Cheap price plans and tries to compete with Tele2 to be cheap.
Cons: outside the larger cities the coverage varies and the in house coverage is worse than the other carriers. It's 4G network doesn't offer the same coverage as the others, but in reality it provides the same speeds because of it's way better 3G network.

Halebop - owned by Telia so it uses the same network with the same coverage. Like Tele2 a lot of young people uses this carrier. Has also different prepaid plans.
Pros: very good overall coverage for speech for a low price (not the lowest)
Cons: not the best prices and not the best speeds. In between.

I hope this helps you with your desition. I'll provide you with the links to the carriers as well.

Www.telia.se
Www.telenor.se
Www.tele2.se
Www.comviq.se
Www.halebop.se
Www.tre.se (3)

 

[Pulsedriver81]

i want it purely for streaming content. I use a slingbox and i have problems streaming on 3g and when it does work, it is not the highest quality. Also using the netflix app. the speed isnt needed for facebook and twitter updates, but there are other uses for the phone that maybe you dont take advantage of.

I use my smartphone for streaming purposes also.
I use air video, Dropbox, google music, spotify, tune in radio, YouTube and more. I never experience any lag or freeze ups when I use these services. That's why it's hard to see what LTE will do for me. Of course files will upload/download a little bit faster to Dropbox and Facebook. But what about streaming music and video? If it already works without lag, it doesn't get any better than that....

 

[dewski]

I use my smartphone for streaming purposes also.
I use air video, Dropbox, google music, spotify, tune in radio, YouTube and more. I never experience any lag or freeze ups when I use these services. That's why it's hard to see what LTE will do for me. Of course files will upload/download a little bit faster to Dropbox and Facebook. But what about streaming music and video? If it already works without lag, it doesn't get any better than that....

well then 3g is all YOU need then where you are located. All 3g is not equal. over here in texas, 3g doesnt do much for you. i experience my slingbox cut out at least 3 times during my 30 minute lunch breaks.

 

[smithy12]

To all UK residents please read full post ....t-mobile will have 4G next week , so we will be part of the 'new' revolution if you go with t-mobile or orange.

 

[ChrisTX]

Too little and too late. Android FTW

The sales of the iPhone 5 are likely to say otherwise.

 

[SprSynJn]

Could you quote just one model? A phone that will work with LTE in Japan, Europe, Asia and the US? I can not find any, Google failed as well. But if they are widely available, there should be at least one model?

Also, it should make phonecalls possible. In Germany for instance they have a HTC Android phone with LTE (of course, it only works on one network and not outside Germany) but it can not make phonecalls. Not really practical for a PHONE.

I do not think there is a model that is compatible with LTE abroad. I could only find that 3G, 3G850, and GSM were compatible. I am not that up to date with LTE specifications, so I cannot offer anything else. I'm sorry.

 

[FuNGi]

There are a lot of choices between different carriers for prepaid plans here.
I'll try to give you some advice since I work in the telecom business.

The carriers:

Telia - swedens largest carrier and the first in the world to offer 4G.
Pros: has the best overall coverage on its networks. Good if you travel a lot around the country.
Cons: the most expensive carrier

Tele2/comviq - one of the cheapest carriers (many kids in the age up to age 20 use this carrier)
Pros: one of the cheapest if not THE cheapest carrier and has many different prepaid plans to choose from.
Cons: medium level coverage, acceptable/good coverage in the citys but not up north of Sweden or smaller citys.

Telenor - used to be Vodafone and has its price level between Telia and Tele2. They have good 4G network, even better than Telia according to latest test results.
Pros: good 4G network coverage and speeds
Cons: horrible personal and salespeople, is not the best choice for price and/or coverage if you plan on.living in a larger city. Is always in between other carriers.

3 - the best carrier for 3G. Uses only the 3G network and has no gsm network. Still it has really good coverage and delivers the fastest speeds with good coverage in the larger cities.
Pros: fastest 3G network with the best 3G coverage but not the best overall coverage. Cheap price plans and tries to compete with Tele2 to be cheap.
Cons: outside the larger cities the coverage varies and the in house coverage is worse than the other carriers. It's 4G network doesn't offer the same coverage as the others, but in reality it provides the same speeds because of it's way better 3G network.

Halebop - owned by Telia so it uses the same network with the same coverage. Like Tele2 a lot of young people uses this carrier. Has also different prepaid plans.
Pros: very good overall coverage for speech for a low price (not the lowest)
Cons: not the best prices and not the best speeds. In between.

I hope this helps you with your desition. I'll provide you with the links to the carriers as well.

Www.telia.se
Www.telenor.se
Www.tele2.se
Www.comviq.se
Www.halebop.se
Www.tre.se (3)

Amazingly informative and helpful post PulseDriver81. I look forward to meeting more people as nice as you in SE.

I will be based mostly in the far north (Umeå) and periodically travelling to Stockholm and possibly Lund area etc. So it sounds like Telia/Halebop or Telenor might be the best choices for the fastest speeds, 3 for the best battery life . I'll look into their pre-paid plans. I will be travelling out of the country allot so pre-paid is the only thing I want these days.

 

[Abazigal]

Just curious, how might lte be implemented on an iphone to minimise battery drain? Earlier android phones were not able to avoid this, what exactly is the reason behind this?

 

[Dionte]

I'll finish that statement for you.

"The Verizon iPad 3 works on AT&T's HSPA+ network. Not LTE network."

Thanks, I get around 4-8 Mbps so it's pretty decent. LTE on Verizon was around 12.