Verizon Wireless Wants LTE, Will Switch to GSM
Verizon Wireless is planning to adopt Long-Term Evolution (LTE) as a future 4G technology – which means a switch from CDMA to GSM down the road.
Why is that significant? Well, for years, T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless have used GSM tech, while Sprint and Verizon have stuck with CDMA. That's divided us cellular users into two distinct camps – and apparently, Verizon is about to switch teams.
As Electronista points out, "The move will … make Verizon's network compatible with AT&T's planned 4G network, which should also use LTE for calls and data, and could render the US cellular market similar to that in Europe, where a single cellular standard lets users easily switch between providers without abandoning an existing phone or device."
"The news marks a serious setback for CDMA backers, as Verizon Wireless is one of the world's largest supporters of the technology," writes RCR Wireless News' Kelly Hill. "Indeed, the news puts Ultra Mobile Broadband – which is Rev. C on the CDMA network-upgrade path – into question, as no operator has yet publicly voiced intentions to move toward the technology."
More here from Unstrung … more here from BroadbandReports … more here from InformationWeek … more here from infoSync World … more here from Engadget … more here from Gizmodo … and more here from Reuters.
Bill said:
Sep 23, 07 at 4:30 amVerizon’s move to LTE is not a switch to GSM. Both LTE and UMB (CDMA RevC) are OFDM based technologies which means that the GSM operators and CDMA operators both must make a technology change at 4G. GSM is no closer relative to LTE than is CDMA. It is accurate that the majority of the GSM operators are expected to adopt LTE and the stanards work for LTE provides foe backward compatability with GSM/UMTS networks, but there is also considerable work underway within the 3GPP to provide backward compatability to CDMA 2000. Ultimately the transition to LTE will be an equivalent one for both GSM and CDMA operators.