Verizon 4G Launches December 5, 2010

[John Wetter]

Verizon's Launch site is up and things are ready for tomorrow's launch. With Verizon having the nation-wide spectrum license for 700mhz for LTE, I think they're probably the best positioned company in the country now for moving to 4G.

http://network4g.verizonwireless.com/

One thing I've noticed on all of the 4G datacards for the various companies is that no one has an external antenna connector... I don't really like that idea as I've found my amp to be great with my card on Sprint's network. They don't seem to have a winner though with WiMax, so keeping my options open for the future.

 

[Jason Foster]

I believe sprint system is up on 2300mhz too...which if I've read right...is less likely to get interference. I also like that with the higher freq. the wave length is less which is better for roof top antenna separation.

I also would be interested in the coverage....sure it'll be squat for 2011, but something to watch for for 2012.

 

[John Wetter]

I believe sprint system is up on 2300mhz too...which if I've read right...is less likely to get interference. I also like that with the higher freq. the wave length is less which is better for roof top antenna separation.

I also would be interested in the coverage....sure it'll be squat for 2011, but something to watch for for 2012.

The problem with 2300MHz is that it doesn't penetrate buildings well, so in every-day use, it isn't great. I know of no one in even downtown Minneapolis that can get a 4G signal in an interior 1st floor room or a basement of any building.

It may have less interference, but at the higher frequency, it doesn't have the distance coverage from the cell site.

 

[Jason Foster]

The problem with 2300MHz is that it doesn't penetrate buildings well, so in every-day use, it isn't great. I know of no one in even downtown Minneapolis that can get a 4G signal in an interior 1st floor room or a basement of any building.

It may have less interference, but at the higher frequency, it doesn't have the distance coverage from the cell site.

But isn't that a reason that 3g will always run along side 4g? I mean...sure that's like saying 1xrtt is actually a usable speed, but still. Just thinking out loud.

 

[jordan.hamilton]

Looks like I am going to make the jump to 4G tomorrow. Going to run by the local Verizon store and upgrade my current data card to the Pantech UML190, which has an external antenna port. Wonder how long it will be until Maximum Signal has a 700mhz booster? Chatted with Verizon tonight and the new 4G 5gig a month plan is 10 dollars cheaper than the current 3G plan and you get coverage on the EVDO and 1xRTT networks included. I know from what I have been told on the Sprint network you have to pick whether you want 4G or 3G access, you cannot have both.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I just hope when Verizon rolls out the iPhone that they lift the data cap. Right now I'm inclined to continue with my current data system since I'm still running unlimited data via the old Alltel contract.

To me, all the data caps remind me of the metered internet of the 90s. There is a reason the meters went away -- customers hated them, and companies like AOL snapped up users by offering huge amounts of hours (essentially making the usage unlimited).

 

[Jason Foster]

I just hope when Verizon rolls out the iPhone that they lift the data cap. Right now I'm inclined to continue with my current data system since I'm still running unlimited data via the old Alltel contract.

To me, all the data caps remind me of the metered internet of the 90s. There is a reason the meters went away -- customers hated them, and companies like AOL snapped up users by offering huge amounts of hours (essentially making the usage unlimited).

I would be OK with a cap, because I understand the nature of the technology at the moment is such that it's design (in part) to discourage misuse by a few at the expense of the many (the other part being fee earnings). HOWEVER, I would to see a cap at or around 10gigs (per month) not 5. I think that is the maximum I've ever used and it was a lot (winter storms FTW!) I'm with Sprint on an unlimited plan, and Sprint's 4g is Unlimited by contract (or at least last time I checked it was).

I've also found that Sprints customer service is had about the most significant reversal. They are awesome. My recent change over to a newer datacard was smooth. A little hick-up, but minor.

My Verizon experiences lately have been horrible. Lying operators, payments no posting, charges and fees for things I didn't order and now I'm getting too many ad related text messages. It is just a corporate mentality too...because it was the same apathy I had to deal with when Verizon was the predominate client at my old architecture firm. It's like they are federal government workers or something. Bad...just bad.

 

[J Tyler]

Looks like I am going to make the jump to 4G tomorrow. Going to run by the local Verizon store and upgrade my current data card to the Pantech UML190, which has an external antenna port. Wonder how long it will be until Maximum Signal has a 700mhz booster? Chatted with Verizon tonight and the new 4G 5gig a month plan is 10 dollars cheaper than the current 3G plan and you get coverage on the EVDO and 1xRTT networks included. I know from what I have been told on the Sprint network you have to pick whether you want 4G or 3G access, you cannot have both.

Hey Jordan....After reading this post I did a little digging online (so I could of course be wrong!), but.....On Verizons website, it lists the Pantech UML290 (not 190) as being the 4G card. I continued to dig because nobody mentioned the external antenna. Finally found a web site that mentioned it. There are two SEPARATE antenna ports on the back. You have to plug your "3G" antenna into one of them, and "When a manufacturer MAKES a 4G antenna, you will plug it into the OTHER port. At this time, nobody makes a 4G antenna.". Anyway, I found that really interesting as I had not thought of that, and wanted to pass it along to everyone here. Again, if I am wrong, someone please correct me. Thanks!

 

[Mark Blue]

It seems 4G was turned on yesterday in Denver: 4G. I've been waiting a long time for this, basically since they turned it on the Texas Panhandle, and cannot wait to give it a look see. The only thing I'm not sure of is the actual coverage area as I live in a suburb of Denver. I guess I'll have to check out their maps to determine the actual coverage area.

 

[Patrick Martin]

It seems 4G was turned on yesterday in Denver: 4G. I've been waiting a long time for this, basically since they turned it on the Texas Panhandle, and cannot wait to give it a look see. The only thing I'm not sure of is the actual coverage area as I live in a suburb of Denver. I guess I'll have to check out their maps to determine the actual coverage area.

This remains a big question. I've been shopping for smartphones for the wife and I. I spoke at length with the mgr at the Verizon store at The Orchard (I-25 & 144th) on Sunday, and in his words "we don't even know what or when we will get for handsets for 4g". I've been shopping for smartphones for the wife and I, cross shopping and reading reviews. At Verizon they currently have a promotion where the 1st unlimited data plan is the usual $29.99, but the second unlimited data line becomes $19.99 (a saving's of $10) for 24 months. It was pretty tempting to jump on one of the 3g phones on a buy 1 get 1 promo, and the data promo, but I've got a suspicion that once the 4g's come out perhaps in later January that there will be deals to be had on the 3g, or perhaps even 4g's. For my use, 3g will meet all of my needs 95% of the time, but 4g sure is tempting. Just don't want to be dropping $200/month on 4g data & voice for 2 phones each month. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[Brandon Sullivan]

At Verizon they currently have a promotion where the 1st unlimited data plan is the usual $29.99, but the second unlimited data line becomes $19.99 (a saving's of $10) for 24 months. It was pretty tempting to jump on one of the 3g phones on a buy 1 get 1 promo, and the data promo, but I've got a suspicion that once the 4g's come out perhaps in later January that there will be deals to be had on the 3g, or perhaps even 4g's.

I would expect us to get 4G devices by early to mid january.. You wont hear any announcements before the holidays though. Any 4g device will definitely be a high priced smartphone.

As far as that promo, it should have been explained as the "Smartphone Talks Free" they really are just giving you a 9.99 credit in order to make the smartphone talk free. So you wont have to worry about data going to a different price than the 29.99.

 

[Mark Blue]

This remains a big question. I've been shopping for smartphones for the wife and I. I spoke at length with the mgr at the Verizon store at The Orchard (I-25 & 144th) on Sunday, and in his words "we don't even know what or when we will get for handsets for 4g". I've been shopping for smartphones for the wife and I, cross shopping and reading reviews. At Verizon they currently have a promotion where the 1st unlimited data plan is the usual $29.99, but the second unlimited data line becomes $19.99 (a saving's of $10) for 24 months. It was pretty tempting to jump on one of the 3g phones on a buy 1 get 1 promo, and the data promo, but I've got a suspicion that once the 4g's come out perhaps in later January that there will be deals to be had on the 3g, or perhaps even 4g's. For my use, 3g will meet all of my needs 95% of the time, but 4g sure is tempting. Just don't want to be dropping $200/month on 4g data & voice for 2 phones each month. I guess we'll see what happens.

Hey Patrick - I was so excited about 4G that I failed to mention it was Sprint who activated it in Denver yesterday, not Verizon. I'm probably posting this in the wrong thread, but since it's 4G and the cities that have 4G coverage aren't that many, I thought I'd just chime in with what I had discovered. The downside to some of these plans is the cost as you pointed out. Currently Jane and I have our cell phones through T-Mobile, but they are definitely showing their age. Our 13 year old niece tells us our phones are antiques! Just for the two of us it's $90 month and that's pretty much for calling and text as we have no data access to the web on our phones. My data card is through Sprint and it's roughly $60 per month. Since I'm a federal government employee they give me a 15% discount each month. I'm seriously thinking on checking out a new plan for our phones since we both need new handsets, but like you say not at the price they want these days. I'll have to check it out as they say.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

I just hope when Verizon rolls out the iPhone that they lift the data cap. Right now I'm inclined to continue with my current data system since I'm still running unlimited data via the old Alltel contract.

To me, all the data caps remind me of the metered internet of the 90s. There is a reason the meters went away -- customers hated them, and companies like AOL snapped up users by offering huge amounts of hours (essentially making the usage unlimited).

it's such a shame that the Verizon iPhones will all be 3G instead of 4G. i was seriously thinking about getting one, but now I'm not so sure.

I'm really holding out for the new launch of Verizon's 4G Phones in Jan/Feb so i can dump this garbage sprint service I have.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Haven't seen any news reports suggesting Verizon iPhone would be 3G and not 4G. Given the breakneck pace they're rolling 4G out and the fact that 4G is capable of handling a lot more data traffic, I'd be shocked if Verizon's iPhone weren't capable of 4G.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

Haven't seen any news reports suggesting Verizon iPhone would be 3G and not 4G. Given the breakneck pace they're rolling 4G out and the fact that 4G is capable of handling a lot more data traffic, I'd be shocked if Verizon's iPhone weren't capable of 4G.

http://www.knowyourcell.com/features/635557/a_3gonly_verizon_iphone_is_boring.html

http://www.phoneplusmag.com/news/2010/10/verizon-iphone-iphone-5-won-t-be-4g-capable-repor.aspx