Do they use the same style frequency CDMA?
I can use my NZ-purchased CDMA phone in the US so I assume so.
Do they use the same style frequency CDMA?
T-Mobile showed up to the FCC 3G frequency auction late and got some one off frequency that is only used here in the US by them.What's up with everyone saying the iPhone will get to verison? What ever happend to t-mobil? What makes version so special?!
I think if Apple were to not form exclusivity agreements with any carrier, then they would have complete control and the carriers would be competing to make the iPhone on their network more appealing to consumers.
As soon as one carrier started offering MMS, the other carriers would be scrambling to offer MMS (example).
Both the consumers and Apple would win.
I agree completely. I feel RIM had to venture more into the CDMA market because they were losing customers to the iPhone in the GSM market which is one reason why they are releasing more Verizon-specific phones. But yeah they still do release most of their newer berries on GSM like the Bold and upcoming Onyx (and that new curve with the optical pad is barely an update from the 8300, its more of an entry level device).
But I think Apple would have an easier time adding support for T-Mobile's 3G network than they would getting it to work on Verizon's.
Uh, dude....I think ALL providers have an "extra" $30/month plan for data, iPhone or no.
I was just wondering, if the iPhone were on more than one carrier in the US, how would they do like carrier updates via iTunes with so many carriers?
Actually, I think it would've made the iPhone more expensive, because it would have to support GSM/W-CDMA/CDMA200 EVDO, further adding to the phone's complexity. That, or we'd have a disparity among iPhone models; one batch that supports AT&T, another that supports Verizon.
Imagine the temper tantrums people would throw against Apple because they bought the Verizon version, aren't happy with Verizon and would have to buy a whole new iPhone to switch over, or vice versa?
And if Apple indeed ever does launch a Verizon EVDO version - and they would have to if they wanted to launch an iPhone on Verizon within the next 5 years, just to cover the gaps in LTE coverage - I would love to be there for the first time a Verizon iPhone user discovers that, LOL, the EVDO CDMA network doesn't support simultaneous voice and data. Wanna update or consult your Mobile Me or Exchange calendar while in the middle of a phone call? Works fine on AT&T 3G, but not on Verizon or Sprint. And if your phone happens to be checking an e-mail, loading a web page, or updating a push application when you get a call, the data session might get interrupted to let the call go through, or you might end up missing the call as it rolls directly to voicemail without your phone even ringing. What happens literally depends on where you are and what the network feels like doing that moment; there is no standard procedure for handling that situation on Verizon or Sprint.
Herein lies yet another problem. Verizon has a different way of handling MMS than AT&T does. So does Sprint. MMS isn't stnadardized even within the CDMA standard, let alone against GSM's implementation.
While I'm on the subject, let's also consider this: just because Verizon is going with LTE, that still doesn't meant they will finally be compatible with AT&T or other GSM operators' implementation of LTE. LTE is just an air interface; the network and routing components that drive the air interface can model the GSM MAP core network, the ANSI network that powers CDMA, or it could even be something totally different. Note that CDMA networks can (and some do) operate using a smart card implementation and network mapping structure very similar to GSM, if the carrier chooses to run it that way.
Likewise, Verizon could choose to go with a SIM-less, fully CDMA compatible and GSM in compatible version of LTE. Meaning a 4G iPhone still might not be cross-network capable.
If the carriers in the US had all standardized on a 3G single framework, I could agree with you. But in the spirit of competition, they were allowed to choose their incompatible technologies. And I think that hampers choice more than any exclusivity agreement out there. It's all fine and good to talk about eliminating exclusivity agreements, but even the two dominant CDMA networks in the US have interoperability issues and can't agree on all standards.
Apple is playing the hand it was dealt. It could develop a device that has all the radios necessary to work on all networks, but it would be expensive, and probably heaver and bulkier than it is, even with current RF technology. And some carriers still wouldn't allow it on their networks unless it was "blessed" by them as "safe." I find it ironic that critics here hold up Verizon as the Savior of Customer Choice, when by far they are the most restrictive carrier in the US. Even when "forced" to allow non-branded phones on their network, Verizon still hasn't done it. They pledged that "any app, any device" would be allowed on their network by the end of 2008. It's now mid-2009. We still haven't seen it.
So if building a completely "universal" iPhone is problematic, what's next? Well, you focus on one technology. And if you're going to focus on one technology, you might as well approach the carrier that fits, and ask "what will you give me for making this awesome phone available on your network?"
As someone who has tried all the major US networks (Sprint, Nextel, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) I will say this much: if the iPhone ever does make it to Verizon, I'll be happy to stay on AT&T, thanks. I've been there, done that with Verizon, and the grass over there isn't so green. I switched to AT&T before the iPhone was even a possibility, and if Apple were to switch iPhone exclusivity to Verizon, then my next phone "upgrade" would, reluctantly, have to be a Blackberry on AT&T.
I can use my NZ-purchased CDMA phone in the US so I assume so.
For someone who wants an iPhone for mobile e-mail and very limited "I need to find this out" uses, they don't need 5GB of data. But people who use video and audio streaming do need a lot more.
I will concede that fact, but I am curious how many people in NZ use CDMA vs. GSM phones. Which has a larger market?
I think it's roughly 40% CDMA, 30% GSM and 30% UMTS.
Quite right. Both of the iPhone-compatible carriers here offer 10 MB "blocks" for ~US$0.60 with no monthly fee, which is great if you just need to use the connection occasionally. Of course, you can add a data plan, ranging up into the gigabytes. Most people seem happy enough with this arrangement
The SIM card would tell them what carrier you were on and they would load the appropriate network profile.
Might even be able to handle multiple installed profiles that are each bonded to a specific SIM card for those euros that love having 2 or 3 SIM cards depending on where in europe or asia they are that week.
Its a good idea but people unlike talking on the phone thru minutes have no way of knowing for sure how many MB's they're using up.
On my phone, I have a button on the front screen that shows my current usage (it's really just a web page link so you could easily add one to an iPhone too).
UMTS is 3.5 G, not 4G. Also, AT&T's 3G network is UMTS/HSDPAwow 30% already rocking 4G. that really shows how behind the us is.
UMTS is 3.5 G, not 4G. Also, AT&T's 3G network is UMTS/HSDPA
Yeah but look at how the storm has turned out. BTW i thought blackberry's were known for their keyboards? so wouldn't that make the Bold their flagship?
P.S. I went and looked at verizon's homepage the only mention of the "flagship" storm is in how their trying desperatly to sell them by giving customers $50 off of one.
No, more like 3.75G. It's UMTS/HSDPA with a speed bump.well any way it's still probally better than what the us has. isn't the 7.2MPS att starts later this year their 3.5G.
Verizon can die in a fire!!! They won't be getting the iPhone anytime soon. So people, shut it and be happy. Besides, even if they do switch to Verizon crap, there will still be people wishing it be back with AT&T (like me and many others) or instead why not someone else (T-Mobile). [Sorry Sprint is a dieing thing, so they don't count]
Also, did I mention Verizon can die in a fire? No, well VERIZON CAN DIE IN A FIRE!
From that list of carriers, the following have announced that they will be moving to LTE by 2010-2011. LTE is the 4G standard for GSM.World ≠ USA. There are more than two CDMA/EVDO carriers in the world.