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Friday April 17, 2009
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 Verizon Wireless today put out their first round of specs for their upcoming 4G LTE network, and they want to remind folks: "Initially, Verizon Wireless will be providing packet data service over the Verizon Wireless LTE 3GPP Band 13 network."
That means the first LTE devices will be more about tapping into LTE's 8-12 Mbps data speeds than about making phone calls.
The specs describe basic requirements to connect to Verizon's upcoming network, and they're pretty much unreadable unless you have a degree in electrical engineering. But a quick perusal of the specs reveals two more interesting tidbits: IPv6 will be required, and support for Verizon's 3G CDMA network will not.
In fact, the current version of the specs offers no guidance for people trying to manage CDMA-to-LTE handoffs, implying that the first round of devices may be LTE-only. Verizon says that the specs are incomplete and will be frequently revised, though, so CDMA-to-LTE handoff information may appear.
Does this mean no LTE phones? Of course not. You've got to take into account where these specs are coming from, Verizon's Open Development Initiative. The ODI has so far been a way for Verizon to certify unconventional data devices on their network - things like ankle bracelets and security systems. Phones generally go through Verizon's traditional development channels, which are not so public.
Verizon CTO Dick Lynch said in February that the first 20-30 LTE cities will be turned on in 2010, that there will be phones and PDAs available, and that each device will have to be certified by Verizon to work on the network - you won't just be able to use generic LTE gadgets. AT&T, T-Mobile and MetroPCS also plan to roll out LTE networks, but Verizon is currently first in line.
Verizon will hold a webcast on May 13 for folks who want to know more about the LTE specs.
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April 19, 2009 3:54 PM
Reading this article, it is fairly clear that the author makes a common mistake. To peruse something is to examine it carefully or at length therefore a quick perusal is really an oxymoron
April 19, 2009 9:57 PM
Not at all. I looked the specs over carefully and with attention to detail, but quickly, not able to take the time for further research in other information sources. A quick perusal.
April 20, 2009 9:43 AM
"cliff"...get a life!
April 20, 2009 10:27 AM
First round LTE devies are 50-150Mbps, not 8-12 Mbps.
The first rev of the standard is 320Mbps with 4 antennas, but no devices will support those speeds initially.
April 20, 2009 3:47 PM
Hi Susan. The 8-12Mbps figure is from Dick Lynch, Verizon Wireless's CTO, and it's quoted in the article linked here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341260,00.asp
Perhaps devices will support faster speeds, but that's the speed he said his network will support.