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How Much LTE Spectrum Do Big Carriers Have?

Posted by samzenpus on from the piece-of-the-pie dept.

alphadogg writes "The top U.S. carriers over the past year have stepped up their efforts to grab more spectrum for 4G wireless data services needed to accommodate a seemingly insatiable and exploding population of iPhone, iPad and other mobile device users. Here's a look at where Verizon, AT&T and others are at on the spectrum acquisition front and what they'll need in the future to deliver ubiquitous 4G service across the United States as mobile users seek to view and exchange more video and other bandwidth-hogging content."

22 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Why the Apple reference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why reference the "exploding population of iPhone, iPad and other mobile device users" when the iPhone and iPad don't even have 4G?

    1. Re:Why the Apple reference? by not+already+in+use · · Score: 5, Funny

      Because once a 4g enabled iPhone is released, it will be introduced as being "revolutionary, the first to implement such technology." So really, the article is just forward-looking.

      --
      Similes are like metaphors
    2. Re:Why the Apple reference? by tripleevenfall · · Score: 2

      In a way, Apple has been wise to wait on 4G to catch up to the point where... well, where it actually means something because it doesn't mean anything right now.

    3. Re:Why the Apple reference? by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2

      Because once a 4g enabled iPhone is released, it will be introduced as being "revolutionary, the first to implement such technology."

      No, it won't. Apple didn't pretend to be the first to offer 3G either.

    4. Re:Why the Apple reference? by not+already+in+use · · Score: 3, Funny

      4g does mean something right now. It means you can advertise a phone as have another "g." Regardless of whether or not you can use that fourth "g," consumers are generally idiots that are easily swayed by such things. It's got 4 g's? Well it must be better than a phone with 3 g's. It's got a 5 megapixel camera instead of a 4 megapixel camera? More megapixels are better!

      --
      Similes are like metaphors
    5. Re:Why the Apple reference? by Sockatume · · Score: 2

      Counterpoint: Apple quite shamelessly claimed to have invented cellphone video chat, although it had been established in Europe for so long that it had become a vestigial feature on almost every phone.

      --
      No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
    6. Re:Why the Apple reference? by TheMeuge · · Score: 4, Informative

      In a way, Apple has been wise to wait on 4G to catch up to the point where... well, where it actually means something because it doesn't mean anything right now.

      I have been enjoying LTE on my Verizon HTC Thunderbolt for almost a year now, and I categorically disagree with that statement. It certainly means something because it's about 10x faster than the competitors, and is significantly (read - 2-3X) faster in real world use.

    7. Re:Why the Apple reference? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      "because it's about 10x faster than the competitors, and is significantly (read - 2-3X) faster in real world use."

      We're not talking about draining the battery, we're talking about the data transfer speeds.

      Posting anonymously due to fanboys that will take a flamethrower to my karma, because they can't take a joke.

    8. Re:Why the Apple reference? by Dynedain · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think what the GP meant is that since 4G isn't widespread, and there are differing network technologies that aren't completely settled yet, Apple was smart (in terms of what's better for their sales numbers) in not shipping a 4G unit because:

      1) If a substantial portion (if not majority) of their customers can't use the 4G feature, Apple would get backlash for selling it.
      2) It's a feature they'll be able to market as differentiating from their older devices once released.
      3) They can wait for 4G network types to become more standardized, reducing design and manufacturing costs.
      4) 4G is bad for battery time, and smartphones already suffer poorly in this regard.

      For consumers, yes a 4G iPhone on the market now would be beneficial, but only for the user savvy enough to know why 4G is a good thing and only if they'll actually be able to use it. For everyone else, it's a meaningless feature on the side of the box.

      --
      I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
    9. Re:Why the Apple reference? by jandrese · · Score: 2

      Not exactly, Apple's claim was that they were the first to offer video chat that people would actually use.

      The weird thing is, I never thought I would use Facetime, but because it uses WiFi and doesn't come out of my minutes, I've actually used it a fair bit now. Plus my (2 year old) son loves to see my face when I call. I've never used video teleconferencing before on any platform because it was far too much effort to set up on both ends, but with Facetime all you need is to be near your computer or your phone. It's really easy. It doesn't break behind NAT either, which is a nice touch.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    10. Re:Why the Apple reference? by geek · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Have fun using your monthly bandwidth cap in 30 minutes. LTE is worthless for anyone that know's it's limitations with the carriers right now.

    11. Re:Why the Apple reference? by garyebickford · · Score: 2

      I was just talking with a VZW rep last night. At present only about 2.5% of their customer base has 4G - so your question is definitely relevant. He also said VZW refuses to accept any more new models from manufacturers that are not 4G.

      --
      It's easier to be a result of the past, but more fun to be a cause of the future! http://www.spacefinancegroup.com/
    12. Re:Why the Apple reference? by froggymana · · Score: 2

      You may have been using a 4G phone in an area without 4G coverage. I have a 4G phone in an area with 4G coverage. The difference is huge. In case anyone wants numbers, I'll run a speed test:

      Speakeasy.net going from Indianapolis to the Chicago test location. Using a Droid Bionic phone through Verizon.

      4G: 35Mbps down, 12Mbps up

      3G: 0.48Mbps down, 0.47Mbps up

      I think he might have been commenting on how there weren't any noticeable difference in real-world use for him.

      --
      "To prevent this day from getting any worse, I'll just read ERROR as GOOD THING" 1GJU8xLuDKDxEs4KLf8fAGyptoDsqvEsBT
    13. Re:Why the Apple reference? by Sockatume · · Score: 2

      Not exactly, Apple's claim was that they were the first to offer video chat that people would actually use.

      We must have been watching a different conference, because they were laying it on pretty thick that The Jetsons was finally here, and that it was nothing anyone had seen before.

      --
      No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
  2. Laugh by koan · · Score: 2

    The other day I saw a live TV streaming app and I had to think "What about the caps?" You stream a show you're going over your cap and someone makes a lot of money.
    Does anyone really think that the spectrum grab will translate to anything other than slightly faster speeds and higher prices?

    --
    "If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."
    1. Re:Laugh by tripleevenfall · · Score: 2

      You can still get uncapped mobile data, though only one carrier offers it.

      Why not support that carrier instead of one of the data cappers?

    2. Re:Laugh by garyebickford · · Score: 2

      Hmm. only about 1118481 per day (30 day month) ... why, that's less than 13 messages per second! How will I live? Oh, noooooss!

      --
      It's easier to be a result of the past, but more fun to be a cause of the future! http://www.spacefinancegroup.com/
    3. Re:Laugh by AJH16 · · Score: 2

      No, I pay $30 a month for data, the same as my previous unlimited data plan. There was absolutely no change in my service when I upgraded. Just make sure to double check with the person in the store when you upgrade to verify they aren't changing it.

      --
      AJ Henderson
  3. Dear Carriers, by sootman · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Your data networks are fast enough. Now, please stop charging out the ass for them.

    Thanks,
    Everyone

    --
    Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
  4. Stop calling it 4G by ruiner13 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    It isn't 4G, per the standard that was previously established for it. Quote:

    In 2009, the ITU-R organization specified the IMT-Advanced (International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) requirements for 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users).

    So... who is getting between 100Mbit/sec and 1Gbit/sec? Anyone? Anyone?

    --

    today is spelling optional day.

    1. Re:Stop calling it 4G by Solandri · · Score: 2

      It's a 4th Generation service (uses completely different technology than 3G), therefore it's 4G.

      The reason the definition was standardized was to prevent someone from implementing some lame 4th generation service with little or no improvement in speed, and advertising it as 4G. But when every 4G service which has been implemented falls within the same speed range and is short of the definition specified by ITU-R in the standard, then clearly it's the standard which is in error.

  5. Print version for a better reading experience. by ClosedEyesSeeing · · Score: 2

    http://www.networkworld.com/cgi-bin/mailto/x.cgi?pagetosend=/news/2012/012312-lte-spectrum-255122.html&pagename=/news/2012/012312-lte-spectrum-255122.html&pageurl=http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/012312-lte-spectrum-255122.html&site=wirelessmobile&nsdr=n