POLL: iPhone 4G on Verizon in the U.S.A. What will you do?

[fehhkk]

LTE is NOT backwards compatible with GSM, it is just the 4G technology agreed upon by virtually every GSM/HSPA carrier and the GSMA. LTE builds on HSPA, which is the 3G upgrade path. GSM uses a TDMA radio system while HSPA uses W-CDMA (not compatible with CDMA), and LTE uses E-UTRA, which is based on W-CDMA.

There was an LTE to CDMA handoff test here.

I think in the LTE RAN, there is a subsystem to allow legacy handoffs to all other technologies, potentially including WiMAX in the future.

I think initially, Verizon's LTE coverage will be limited to major cities only, and airports. Then they will slowly expand into the suburbs. But that expansion is going to take a while. I would imagine by 2013-2014, LTE would have the same coverage as 1X-EVDO has right now.

 

[Mikey B]

Verizon hates me so I think I'll be staying with good ol' call-dropping, crappy cell service AT&T.

 

[kdarling]

I doubt we'll ever see it on Verizon. One of the reasons is because they demand control over the software of the phone, and insist on crippling features like Bluetooth. That was one of the main reasons why they turned Apple down initially.

Total nonsense. Verizon doesn't mess with their smartphones. And they turned down Apple mostly because of the extra money they wanted, lack of warranty control, and a disagreement over what stores it would be sold in.

As for crippling, Apple is the one who took the iPhone and left out Bluetooth stacks, no MMS, no themes, locked it down to one app store, etc.

even if it does go to VZ, i'm staying with AT&T. not like VZ can add bandwidth any faster than AT&T. these are complex engineering/legal projects. not like you can just build towers anywhere any time

Verizon has their FiOS network, plus they bought MCI for their fiber backbones. So yes, they can expand their tower backhaul (and are doing so) far easier than other carriers.

I prefer GSM phones because they work worldwide.

Then stay away from the ATT iPhone, since they've removed the ability to use local SIMs overseas.

Well this is typically assuming that Verizon would be on a 4G LTE network-since that is where Verizon is moving towards. Which is backwards compatible with GSm.

LTE's air interface is not backward compatible with anything. It's something new. Phone makers would have to build in fallback radios for either GSM or CDMA.

isn't LTE supposed to be voice and data being all data? where voice is transferred using SIP or a similar protocol?

As others have pointed out, there's no standard yet. When there is one, Verizon (as a major first LTE adopter) will probably decide what it is.

In any case, Verizon sees LTE more as wireless FiOS. That is to say, as a wireless broadband line for laptops, cameras, gameboxes, etc... not necessarily as a phone network. At least, not for years to come.

 

[MacFly123]

Agreed, it just isn't the same here without the weekly "Verizon will get the iPhone and I will switch because Verizon is the source of all that is good in the world while at&t is the source of all of the world's evil!!!!!" threads.

I started this thread and I voted that I will wait and see. I am hardly pro AT&T or Verizon. I was merely interested in how many people would leave AT&T for Verizon if they also get the iPhone, because of the article I linked reporting that they may get it in 2010 with 4G.

I know it is just a stupid analyst report, but it sparked my curiosity.

 

[jav6454]

Agreed, it just isn't the same here without the weekly "Verizon will get the iPhone and I will switch because Verizon is the source of all that is good in the world while at&t is the source of all of the world's evil!!!!!" threads.

I'm sorry, but you got that statement messed up. The names are switched.

 

[wingsabr]

There was a survey somewhere (it may have been on here) where people were asked if they thought Verizon or Sprint could support the mass influx of sub's that AT&T did when the launched the iPhone. Most people, myself included, say that any network that had this much of an increase in traffic would have some of the same problems as AT&T. I personally am happy with AT&T because Verizon is a bit too expensive for my tastes and I don't get a FAN 25% with Verizon like I do with AT&T.

 

[daihard]

I think initially, Verizon's LTE coverage will be limited to major cities only, and airports. Then they will slowly expand into the suburbs. But that expansion is going to take a while. I would imagine by 2013-2014, LTE would have the same coverage as 1X-EVDO has right now.

That is the reason I seriously doubt Apple will add LTE support to the iPhone anytime soon. If I were the decision maker at Apple, I would definitely give LTE a couple of years before it becomes popular in the world, not just in the U.S.

 

[chakraj]

Funny story, before the iphone came out I was on Cingular since they split from ATT. One day the Moto Q came out on Verizon, and like the phone whore I am I switched.

I have a family plan with two phones and 2100 minutes. I NEVER came close to the 2100 minutes on Cingular, in fact I would always do 1200 or 1400 at the most. I had 12,000 Rollover minutes, but never changed my plan because it isn't that much of a diff.

Well my first month on Verizon we went over 2100 minute ( i had gotten the same plan) In three years with Cingular We never went over, I talked to my wife and we both talked the same as usual. Both plans had similar features, free nights (9pm+) and weekends.

After three months of having to watch our usage, and every month we where at or over the 2100 minutes, I took the bullet and quit those bast**ds.

Went Back to ATT they had changed while I was gone. Got my 2100 minute plan and here we are four years later. We Have NEVER gone over 1600 minutes in four years.

I think Verizon charges you a whole minute for the use of any part of a minute, and ATT does not they charge in 10 second intervals. Well that is the only thing I can think of.

OH and just because I know you guys are going to say this, NO most of our friends dont have ATT they have Verizon so its not the free mobile to mobile.

So Good I hope Verizon does get the iPhone, then some of the millions of jerks with it will get of off ATT so the network can speed up for me

 

[fehhkk]

That is the reason I seriously doubt Apple will add LTE support to the iPhone anytime soon. If I were the decision maker at Apple, I would definitely give LTE a couple of years before it becomes popular in the world, not just in the U.S.

The other thing to consider, is that the LTE technology is still under development. Since most big carriers will deploy LTE as an overlay of their current network footprint, they *HAVE* to have backwards compatibility in mind. I think you would be able to have a phone that supports LTE, and then you will be able to handoff, to EVDO in the case of Verizon. Or, HSPA for AT&T, similar as to when you are in 3G coverage, you can handoff to EDGE when you go to places that there is no 3G yet.

Otherwise, it would make no sense for you to have such limited coverage initially.

If there is a Verizon LTE iPhone for example, anywhere in sights, it won't be LTE only, it will have to have LTE + 1XEVDO(Rev.A/Rev.0) + 1X-IS2000 radios/circuitry built-in, so they can handoff and roam in their network.

 

[i3igsmooth5769]

And just think how awesome it'll be when you power up your iphone and see that horendous red screen with the verizon logo lol

 

[jasko]

I held out on 3GS just cause of AT&T. I refuse to sign again with them. I lost count the amount of times I get the "Call Failed" in the middle of a call (this is when I have full bars). I hate AT&T. I'll gamble on Verizon.

 

[army91c]

I will go stick a pencile in my ear for even looking into this post..... iPhone will never, never, never be on verizon..... get used to is.

 

[MacFly123]

I will go stick a pencile in my ear for even looking into this post..... iPhone will never, never, never be on verizon..... get used to is.

I can't wait to flaunt this post in your face years from now. What makes you so sure that it will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happen? Most of the world will all be standardized and universally compatible with 4G networks years from now and yet you think Apple will ignore half the population of potential iPhone purchasers in the US???

 

[outphase]

I'm fine on AT&T. At least this thread gives a chance to show that there are some people who don't mind AT&T. It's just that complainers/detractors speak up when those content don't say anything.

 

[UngratefulNinja]

I switched to at&t and the iphone from verizon. I was happy with verizon and I'm happy with at&t so I'll likely stay

 

[Valmor]

Well this is typically assuming that Verizon would be on a 4G LTE network-since that is where Verizon is moving towards. Which is backwards compatible with GSm. I don't see Apple allowing the iPhone on VZW until that point.

Ah ok. Thanks for the info!

 

[ravensfan55]

There was an LTE to CDMA handoff test here.

I think in the LTE RAN, there is a subsystem to allow legacy handoffs to all other technologies, potentially including WiMAX in the future.

I think initially, Verizon's LTE coverage will be limited to major cities only, and airports. Then they will slowly expand into the suburbs. But that expansion is going to take a while. I would imagine by 2013-2014, LTE would have the same coverage as 1X-EVDO has right now.

A handoff doesn't mean it's backwards compatible. It simply means that a call can be relayed from a tower with one standard to another. Just like GSM can handoff to HSPA, and Sprint's dual mode handsets allow CDMA to handoff to iDEN and vice versa. The phone still requires separate radios.

 

[nehunte]

... but the fact that we STILL don't have MMS and STILL don't have tethering really pisses me off!

Oh and I have about 3,000 roll-over minutes that I can't use because obviously my plan is more than sufficient for my needs, but if I switch to the next plan down, i loose all my rollover minutes because that plan does not include them! Nice! I also couldn't upgrade with the subsidized price to the 3Gs because my monthly bill without fees and taxes is only $94 not $99 even though it is really $115. Screw AT&T!

Really? Really Really? The iPhone has been out for over two years and never had MMS until two months ago. AT&T delays it for 3 months, yet EVERY BIT of blame lies on AT&T. Come on man. Think about it.

1. If you don't use the rollover minutes anyway, then who cares if you lose them by dropping down in minutes and save money per month?

2. You don't lose all of your rollover minutes, they drop down to whatever minute plan you choose.

3. Your whole statement about not being able to get the 3Gs at the subsidized price doesn't make sense. Getting the new 3Gs at $199 or $299 is dependent upon being eligible for an upgrade, not the price of your monthly plan.

 

[nehunte]

So Good I hope Verizon does get the iPhone, then some of the millions of jerks with it will get of off ATT so the network can speed up for me

AMEN to that!

 

[MacFly123]

Really? Really Really? The iPhone has been out for over two years and never had MMS until two months ago. AT&T delays it for 3 months, yet EVERY BIT of blame lies on AT&T. Come on man. Think about it.

I'm not saying I'm happy about Apple excluding MMS, but this thread is about the networks and I didn't have the original iPhone. I have only had the 3G so I have only had it a year. The way I see it, yes Apple dropped the ball, but after all this time and several months of beta testing iPhone OS 3.0 which they knew would enable MMS and they are still not prepared??? Pretty pathetic anyway you look at it!

1. If you don't use the rollover minutes anyway, then who cares if you lose them by dropping down in minutes and save money per month?

I do because the minutes are of value. Why should I pay for more minutes I don't need every month when i have like 3,000 free ones???

2. You don't lose all of your rollover minutes, they drop down to whatever minute plan you choose.

No they don't. I have spoken to AT&T about this on more than one occasion. The plan that is below mine does not include the transfer of rollover minutes when you switch plans. Ask about the fine print!

3. Your whole statement about not being able to get the 3Gs at the subsidized price doesn't make sense. Getting the new 3Gs at $199 or $299 is dependent upon being eligible for an upgrade, not the price of your monthly plan.

The 3Gs came out just before the one year mark of when the 3G came out last year and therefore many 3G owners were just under the limit to upgrade at the subsidized prices. After all the 3G owners threw a fit, AT&T changed the policy to say that any 3G owners that will hit the 1 year mark between the launch and september of this year will qualify for the subsidized price, IF................ The bill for your line is $99 a month or higher and some other fine print. They don't count the fees you pay on your bill or the taxes of course, so even though my bill is about $115 a month, they say it is $94 and therefore I was $6 short of being able to upgrade to the 3Gs at the subsidized price. Trust me, I went over this more than once with AT&T because I was PISSED!

Anything else I can explain for you?

 

[Michael CM1]

Why do people think that by saying Verizon's LTE network will launch in 2010, it will be everywhere in 2010? Their LTE network won't even be close to complete until 2015 or later. It's way harder to go from CDMA/EVDO to LTE than CDMA to EVDO. I'd say that by the end of 2010 we will see a few metro areas that have LTE, and that's it. Plus LTE is voice only, so if the iPhone did go to Verizon Apple would either have to make a quad-mode CDMA/GSM/HSPA/LTE model or a CDMA/LTE and GSM/HSPA/LTE model.

So no, the iPhone will not go to Verizon, even if it stays on AT&T it won't have an LTE radio.

Thank youuuuuuuuuu. Unless Apple makes a CDMA-compatible phone, it will be WORTHLESS on Verizon's network. If you complain about 3G coverage with AT&T, you'll be whining and moaning about 4G coverage in 2010. The 4G network will need the legacy 3G backup, and the current iPhone is totally incompatible.

I think it's more likely to hit T-Mobile before Verizon since T-Mobile is on GSM. I hope Apple spreads it out among everybody eventually because I'd love to have my AT&T 3G speeds increased by weeding out the riff raff. AT&T is getting a bad rap because of how taxing iPhones are on its network. Verizon would've been in the same boat.

Oh yeah, don't forget about price increases. Do you REALLY think a 4G phone is going to be just $30 for a data plan? Ha, right! You're probably going to get reduced battery life from a 4G radio, so I don't understand the rush for 4G. Just make 3G networks more robust and more common in the US and we'll keep getting happier.

 

[JoshGlzBrk]

I will stay with AT&T no matter what even if verizon gets it which it most likely won't. If it came down to paying or apple to stay AT&T has the resources to do so if it chooses. Remember a million is like pennies to these companies.


I also am just rooting for AT&T for no particular reason. I just see verizon as the one of a few companies who are different on purpose just to piss you off.

 

[army91c]

I can't wait to flaunt this post in your face years from now. What makes you so sure that it will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER happen? Most of the world will all be standardized and universally compatible with 4G networks years from now and yet you think Apple will ignore half the population of potential iPhone purchasers in the US???

My god, IF it does go to Verizon a "few years from now" I will mock you and call you names for having no life as you drag this thread out of the dusty depths of horrible thread hell to "flaunt" it in my face.... PLEASE get a life before then, for your sanity and mine.

Trust me, I went over this more than once with AT&T because I was PISSED!
Anything else I can explain for you?

Why didn't you want to live up to your side of the contract? Why were you so pissed?

 

[nehunte]

No they don't. I have spoken to AT&T about this on more than one occasion. The plan that is below mine does not include the transfer of rollover minutes when you switch plans. Ask about the fine print!

The 3Gs came out just before the one year mark of when the 3G came out last year and therefore many 3G owners were just under the limit to upgrade at the subsidized prices. After all the 3G owners threw a fit, AT&T changed the policy to say that any 3G owners that will hit the 1 year mark between the launch and september of this year will qualify for the subsidized price, IF................ The bill for your line is $99 a month or higher and some other fine print. They don't count the fees you pay on your bill or the taxes of course, so even though my bill is about $115 a month, they say it is $94 and therefore I was $6 short of being able to upgrade to the 3Gs at the subsidized price. Trust me, I went over this more than once with AT&T because I was PISSED!

Anything else I can explain for you?

I work for AT&T. You're wrong. But there's no point in explaining it again since you won't believe me anyway. So best of luck with it.

 

[themoonisdown09]

I was a Verizon customer for about 6 years before I switched to AT&T for the iPhone 3GS this summer. If the next iPhone was released on Verizon as well, I would still stick with AT&T.

I couldn't be happier with my AT&T service. I have had no problems what so ever and the 3G speed around here is really fast.

2. You don't lose all of your rollover minutes, they drop down to whatever minute plan you choose.

What exactly does this mean? I'm currently on the family plan with 1400 minutes and we've been using less than half of that every month. I was thinking about going down to 700 minutes, but I thought that I would lose all my rollover minutes.