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Carrier Verizon XLTE Rollout

scaredpoet said:
This. At this point speed upgrades are useless as long as these meager data caps remain in place. Even at a 10GB data cap, a single user could blow through that in a mere 17 minutes at XLTE speeds. If it's a shared plan? Well, divide that time by however many people are on the plan.
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I think you're missing the point about "X-LTE." It isn't just about increased data speeds. It's more about capacity and managing load during high traffic times. VZW can now force B4 AWS compatible devices to "camp" on AWS at all times and let B13/700 be used only when indoors, etc. This allows VZW to fix the capacity issues they've been having in major areas quite easily.

Data speeds aren't the #1 priority. It's about overall reliability and being able to maintain consistent experience. Not everyone is trying to be T-Mobile, who only seems to care about data speeds
 
AutoUnion39 said:
I think you're missing the point about "X-LTE."
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A lot of people must be "missing the point" then, including Verizon's marketing people. One of the clear advantages they list is that XLTE is a "superfast 4G" network that "starts fast, stays fast."

XLTE_superfast.png


Their marketing doesn't say "this isn't about speed, which isn't that important; it's about capacity." "Fast" and "speed" are significant talking points that get repeated multiple times in all their marketing about XLTE. "Fast" is mentioned 3 times in two sentences, right next to "speed" in the page I cited above... if it's not that important, why mention it so much?.

So to say speed isn't a priority or not something they're trying to sell people on, is absolutely wrong.

It isn't just about increased data speeds. It's more about capacity and managing load during high traffic times.
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It's a key component however. IN any case, having increased capacity bolsters the argument for increasing or even eliminating the current, extremely stingy, extremely expensive usage caps they impose.
 
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Verizon already has LTE coverage that's leaps and bounds above the other 3 carriers. This XLTE (or AWS LTE) is about increasing capacity in crowded markets where AT&T or T-Mobile may have gotten ahead of them in speed. Once it's fully rolled out you can expect Verizon to be the clear leader again in speed as well as overall LTE coverage.
 
I haven't noticed much. By my school (Northridge, CA), my signal is pretty bad. Well, like 3 bars type of bad and only getting 3G (sometimes)... Hopefully when I get back from my vacation my signal and LTE speeds will improve.
 
Honestly I just want speeds better than the crappy "3G" called EVDO, AT&T and T-Mobile 3G UMTS/HSPA has always offered faster 3G or at least the possibility of it...with 3G EVDO I never saw higher than 2.8Mbps standing next to a cell tower with fiber backhaul in the middle of the night.....LTE for Verizon in my mind is like finally catching up with AT&T's HSPA, I don't have an LTE iPhone tell later today but I use my sisters phones and we are about 800meters from a cell tower...the speeds are about 17mbps downlink on a BAD day and 30mbps on a good day, I live in one of the Markets (Syracuse, NY)....our ADSL is like 6mbps....a shame I don't have unlimited data anymore! :D In all honesty the speed increase for me now will probably just be a nice convienent feature and when my crappy ADSL goes down it will be much nicer than tethering off my iPhone 4.

As for effective use of spectrum....its vital that they have more LTE on the AWS 1700MHz band....700MHz is great for range and indoor use but capacity wise in major areas not so much. Its no different then the previous technology using 1900 and 850/800MHz (or 2100/900MHz in Europe and other parts) for capacity reasons. I've been in busy areas where a carrier only has 850MHz and while you get reception you often don't get speed or reliability if there is a large venue with allot of people, same goes for the high frequency bands, 1900MHz only was killer when I was in Wisconsin (US Cellular only allows verizon 1900MHz with almost no 800MHz), I could not make any calls indoors, I had to temporarily re-route all my MMS via WiFi and verizon email...I just hope the spectrum is effectively used, I'd hate to be stuck on 1700MHz/2100MHz in a building with thick walls and dodgy signal strength. As CDMA2000 fades refarming of the existing 1900MHz and 800MHz spectrum for LTE may occure....not 100% sure current all the current iPhones can pick up the spectrum VZW has set up for CDMA in an LTE fashion or how/when/if LTE will support voice and what not.
 
nateo200 said:
Honestly I just want speeds better than the crappy "3G" called EVDO, AT&T and T-Mobile 3G UMTS/HSPA has always offered faster 3G or at least the possibility of it...with 3G EVDO I never saw higher than 2.8Mbps standing next to a cell tower with fiber backhaul in the middle of the night.....LTE for Verizon in my mind is like finally catching up with AT&T's HSPA, I don't have an LTE iPhone tell later today but I use my sisters phones and we are about 800meters from a cell tower...the speeds are about 17mbps downlink on a BAD day and 30mbps on a good day, I live in one of the Markets (Syracuse, NY)....our ADSL is like 6mbps....a shame I don't have unlimited data anymore! :D In all honesty the speed increase for me now will probably just be a nice convienent feature and when my crappy ADSL goes down it will be much nicer than tethering off my iPhone 4.

As for effective use of spectrum....its vital that they have more LTE on the AWS 1700MHz band....700MHz is great for range and indoor use but capacity wise in major areas not so much. Its no different then the previous technology using 1900 and 850/800MHz (or 2100/900MHz in Europe and other parts) for capacity reasons. I've been in busy areas where a carrier only has 850MHz and while you get reception you often don't get speed or reliability if there is a large venue with allot of people, same goes for the high frequency bands, 1900MHz only was killer when I was in Wisconsin (US Cellular only allows verizon 1900MHz with almost no 800MHz), I could not make any calls indoors, I had to temporarily re-route all my MMS via WiFi and verizon email...I just hope the spectrum is effectively used, I'd hate to be stuck on 1700MHz/2100MHz in a building with thick walls and dodgy signal strength. As CDMA2000 fades refarming of the existing 1900MHz and 800MHz spectrum for LTE may occure....not 100% sure current all the current iPhones can pick up the spectrum VZW has set up for CDMA in an LTE fashion or how/when/if LTE will support voice and what not.
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You are aware CDMA Rev. A that both Sprint and Verizon use for 3G is limited to a theoretical max of 3.1Mbps correct? and that's under perfect conditions that no one will ever see. 1.5-2Mbps is considered good for CDMA Rev. a.
 
ValerieDurden said:
You are aware CDMA Rev. A that both Sprint and Verizon use for 3G is limited to a theoretical max of 3.1Mbps correct? and that's under perfect conditions that no one will ever see. 1.5-2Mbps is considered good for CDMA Rev. a.
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Indeed. I am well versed on cellular communication tech. I think you aided my point further. I always secretly wished Verizon would pull a Belus (See Bell and Telus in Canada) and magically turn their entire CDMA structure into UMTS/WCDMA.
 
I am in Philadelphia and I have noticed nothing at all unfortunately. Great slow reliable service as usual. I have 2.39 down, 1.93 up with a 52 ping.

**Update**

I have an iPhone 5c and I have been able get noticeably faster speeds in different parts of town. I have gotten as fast as 21.27 upload and 15.68 download. Coming from a Verizon 4s this is so much faster than I have ever been exposed to. I am still with Verizon but I can take advantage of XLTE! It seems good so far, just not everywhere.
 
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nateo200 said:
Indeed. I am well versed on cellular communication tech. I think you aided my point further. I always secretly wished Verizon would pull a Belus (See Bell and Telus in Canada) and magically turn their entire CDMA structure into UMTS/WCDMA.
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No point in doing that now with LTE. I think thats the game plan for volte. They will probably sunset the EVDO network re-farm that spectrum all towards LTE and just leave 1x fallback. Once voLTE is as good or better than their 1X network that goes bye bye also. Probably be able a decade but probably a close enough road map.
 
Meant to post this awhile ago but forgot about this thread. But here is what I tested pretty close to a tower.

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/i/861176652
 
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