is it good to be the first with 4g LTE....

[pc747]

Looks initially like vzw is about to gouge people to use their 4g network. I wonder how long that will last being sprint users get 4g for the Evo as part of the 69.99 plan, oh and that includes FREE mobile wifi tethering. I am thinking they are going to get as much money as they can with the initial hype, because with vzw already having the highest cost for service they will lose a lot of average users if they try to tact on another 50-80 bucks to the bill.

We pulled out some of the big hits from today’s Verizon 4G LTE launch call. You can also check out the entire press release from Big Red after the break.
9:38AM –
Calls will be 3G and data will be 4G. You can do both simultaneously. In the future, both will be 4G LTE.
9:34AM –
Pricing and data packages could change as the network evolves. Modems do require 2-year contracts though so you are either stuck with $50 or $80 plans.
9:24AM-
Street level maps will be available starting Sunday when network is live. Viewed at verizonwireless.com/4glte.
They really don’t want anyone to ask about smartphones either. They keep reiterating the fact that everything will be debuted in January at CES.
9:22AM –
Verizon takes credit for Android explosion and says the same will happen with 4G LTE. ”Not all 4G is the same.”
9:20AM –
Initial Pricing: Two data plans: 5GB for $50 and 10GB for $80. $10 per 1GB overage.
Devices: Two modems: LG (on Sunday) and Pantech (later) and can be purchased for $99 after $50 rebate with 2-year agreement. Modems are also 3G compatible. Additional devices expected “middle of 2011″ and will be debuted at CES in January.
9:15AM -
Speeds: 10MB downloaded in 10 secs, 20 photos in 60 seconds.
People covered: 110 million at launch, biggest area in LA and southern California which will be 20 million. 110 mill at launch. Rollout completed in 2013.
9:13AM –
The full 4G LTE press release after the break.
Verizon Wireless Launches The World’s Largest 4G LTE Wireless Network On Dec. 5
Laptop Users Benefit First from Fastest and Most Advanced Wireless Network, Arriving in 38 Major Metropolitan Areas with New Value-Priced 4G Data Plans
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless announced today it is turning on the world’s first large-scale 4G LTE network on Sunday, Dec. 5. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network will be the fastest and most advanced 4G network in America. Business users will be the first to take advantage of the 4G LTE network with speeds up to 10 times faster than the company’s 3G network.
With the launch, Verizon Wireless is also offering new value-priced 4G LTE Mobile Broadband data plans starting at $50 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance, as well as two new 4G LTE USB modems: the LG VL600 which will be available at launch, and the Pantech UML290, available soon.
Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless, said, “Beginning Sunday, Verizon Wireless is making the best network even better. Our initial 4G LTE launch gives customers access to the fastest and most advanced mobile network in America and immediately reaches more than one-third of all Americans, right where they live. That’s just the start. We will quickly expand 4G LTE, and by 2013 will reach the existing Verizon Wireless 3G coverage area.”
Road warriors using laptops will immediately benefit from Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network with super-fast connectivity that’s up to 10 times faster than the company’s current 3G network. The company expects 4G LTE average data rates in real-world, loaded network environments to be 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.
Mead continued, “We are building our 4G LTE network with the same commitment to performance and reliability for which we have long been recognized. Our commitment to superior network performance, combined with broad 4G coverage areas and the strong value of our data plans make 4G LTE Mobile Broadband the best choice for laptop users.”
4G LTE Mobile Broadband Data Plans, Devices and Coverage Areas
Verizon Wireless customers can choose from two 4G LTE Mobile Broadband data plans: $50 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance or $80 monthly access for 10 GB monthly allowance, both with $10/GB overage. For laptop connectivity, two 4G LTE USB modems will be initially available: the LG VL600 is available at launch and the Pantech UML290 will be available soon, each $99.99 after $50 rebate with a new two-year agreement. Both USB modems provide backward-compatibility with Verizon Wireless’ 3G network. If laptop users travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, they will automatically stay connected on the company’s 3G network.
The two modems harness the power of the company’s 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network to help enterprise, business and government customers make their workforces more productive, providing super-fast laptop connectivity. Both modems will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, online atwww.verizonwireless.com, by phone by calling 1-800 256-4646 and through the company’s business sales channels.
The company expects consumer-oriented handsets will be available by mid-2011. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network is initially launching in 38 major metropolitan areas and in more than 60 commercial airports coast to coast – at both airports within the launch areas plus airports in other key cities. Street level coverage area maps will be available online on Dec. 5. Today, customers can go to www.verizonwireless.com/4Glte to check if their addresses will be in the initial 4G LTE coverage area.
Spectrum and Network Partners
By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage. Verizon Wireless’ primary 4G LTE network vendors, Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, are providing the underlying infrastructure for the 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network

 

[AdamPA1006]

That price is just for those wirless modems, same price as their current 3g. phone plans have not been announced

 

[dezymond]

I have a strange feeling that their locations will have problems with 4g...I know they said they're releasing it in Dec. but Dec. 5th seems a little too early...I'll worry about 4g when the phone match up to the network

 

[jstafford1]

WHy would they have problems? They've been building this network for over a year.

 

[Tanknspank]

That price is just for those wirless modems, same price as their current 3g. phone plans have not been announced

We can only hope and speculate that this will happen. Hopefully they will be lower. I can handle an extra $10-$20, but more would start to push it.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[dezymond]

WHy would they have problems? They've been building this network for over a year.

I dunno just a feeling. I've always noticed that the first of "new technology" always has a couple bugs, which is expected really. I know Sprint was the first one to roll out 4g, but even in their covered areas I've heard people only getting 3g. The devices too are going into new territory as well, could be some bugs or hardware issues with those as well.

I'm not much into reading about the new 4g network as some of you may be, but this is a trend I've noticed in the technological world.

Either way I can't wait for the new 4g devices that roll out mid-2011, those are going to be good devices. Hopefully by then one of the companies comes out with a phone that can match up to Verizon's new 4g network.

 

[kodiak799]

That price is just for those wirless modems, same price as their current 3g. phone plans have not been announced

Yes. At worst, I see them charging an extra $10 for LTE data and maybe capping at 5 gigs, perhaps an unlimited plan for an additional $10. But I think it's better than 50/50 that prices won't change (like you said, same price for current 3G modems).

If anything, I think it's more likely the "gouging" comes in the future, be it caps or higher prices. Initially VZW will want to show good subscriber numbers for LTE and I doubt they raise prices to deter customers.

Also, if the IPhone does come to VZW that will put a strain on the 3G capacity, so look for VZW to incentivize users to upgrade to LTE, most likely with no price increase and a slew of early upgrade offers.

 

[kodiak799]

By the way, the ability to use voice and data simultaneously kicks butt! You can tether to your heart's content while still being able to receive calls. But I wonder if that changes when both become 4G?

 

[setlab]

Fingers crossed I can keep my $69 plan with unlimited data and use 4g with it.

 

[kenbiz]

I heard on abc news that 4g smart phones won't be available until summer 2011. Is that true?

 

[FranklinWalker]

summer 2011? can't wait for it

 

[takeshi]

WHy would they have problems? They've been building this network for over a year.

LTE requires greater tower density. A year isn't that much time.

By the way, the ability to use voice and data simultaneously kicks butt! You can tether to your heart's content while still being able to receive calls. But I wonder if that changes when both become 4G?

It would be silly for Verizon to roll out a 4G network if that was the case and it would also be silly for at&t to have chosen LTE if they're going to lose the simultaenous voice & data that they promote in their ads.

In short, no, it does not. Gizmodo has some good basic articles on LTE if you want more details.