AT&T 4G LTE iPhone Planned for 2012 Launch? [Updated]
One of the major questions about future iPhones has been at what point Apple will choose to offer "4G" LTE compatibility. With Verizon only just beginning to roll out its own 4G network, rumors have indicated that the CDMA-based iPhone 4 widely rumored for a launch early this year will not support 4G. The bigger question has been whether Apple will support 4G in the fifth-generation iPhone presumably set to debut sometime in the middle of the year, with several reports indicating that Apple will skip 4G compatibility at that point as well.
In covering a CES keynote address by AT&T's Ralph de la Vega, Boy Genius Report notes that de la Vega's comments suggest that a 4G LTE iPhone is in fact not coming until 2012.
De la Vega included Apple in his list of manufacturers set to launch LTE devices in 2012, implying that AT&T will launch a 4G LTE-compatible Apple iPhone next year
De la Vega reportedly also confirmed AT&T's plans for an accelerated timetable for deployment of its LTE network, looking to launch sometime this year with completion set for 2013. He also noted that the HSPA+ improvements that have already spread to much of the company's network already come relatively close to 4G speeds.While many observers have been hoping that Apple will be an early adopter of LTE technology to support the ever-increasing data demands of iPhone users, past history has suggested that Apple will sit on the sidelines until the LTE service becomes more widespread and has had time to mature. Despite the fact that AT&T offered a 3G data network at the time of the iPhone's initial launch in 2007, the first-generation device did not support the technology and operated only on the carrier's slower-but-more-widely-available EDGE network.
Update: Boy Genius Report has updated its article to note that AT&T has officially denied that de la Vega confirmed an LTE iPhone for 2012. It appears that the confusion has stemmed from AT&T's decision to call both its existing HSPA+ network and its forthcoming LTE network "4G" for marketing purposes.
Well, AT&T's ridiculous decision to call both HSPA+ and LTE "4G" is already causing problems -- AT&T contacted us to let us know that no iPhone-related LTE announcements were made. Apparently the "4G" mentioned alongside de la Vega's mention of Apple did not refer to LTE "4G".
Top Rated Comments
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18 months ago
no point in offering the LTE iPhone before the network is wide spread enough. If they release it too early people will only bash the iPhone for bad service not realizing the the LTE network is not ready for it.
18 months ago
Apple waits until networks are mature to a stable point. That's why they waited on 3G. Same thing is happening with LTE.
So there's your answer on Verizon - LTE iPhone in 2012. If there's a Verizon iPhone this year it will be CDMA only. They aren't supporting two different devices until AT&T gets it into gear.
Also gives a hint to what will be in the next iPhone - HSDPA+.
So there's your answer on Verizon - LTE iPhone in 2012. If there's a Verizon iPhone this year it will be CDMA only. They aren't supporting two different devices until AT&T gets it into gear.
Also gives a hint to what will be in the next iPhone - HSDPA+.
18 months ago
At least we get At&t other "4G" this year HSPA+. I can see it now this year iPhone going to be call iPhone 4G HSPA+
http://gizmodo.com/5725501/atts-4g-is-hspa%252B-like-t+mobiles
http://gizmodo.com/5725501/atts-4g-is-hspa%252B-like-t+mobiles
18 months ago
2012 will be a good year.
LTE iphone on ATT and iphone on other networks like Verizon.
I finally got an iphone in November figuring 2012 would be a good time for my contract to run out. Should have done it earlier in the year but no matter. A few months wait in 2012 will be all right.
LTE iphone on ATT and iphone on other networks like Verizon.
I finally got an iphone in November figuring 2012 would be a good time for my contract to run out. Should have done it earlier in the year but no matter. A few months wait in 2012 will be all right.
18 months ago
I am eagerly awaiting the launch of a 3G network that does what it is promised in a consistent and reliable fashion! 2012 sounds about right for that. 4G LTE in 2012 that has the chipset, network coverage, and backhaul to create an acceptable experience that lives up to the hype sounds like a pipe dream.
Think I sound grumpy/unrealistic? Remember, it was in 2007 when people were looking at Jobs cockeyed for offering an EDGE only device. Today, 3+ yrs later, a vast majority of US iPhone users aren't much better off.
Network coverage is poor, 3G areas with coverage don't have good spectrum design, or are quite over-subscribed.
It's not about the hardware outside of having a chipset that is efficient and a battery with the mAh to drive it, so the pace of HW development is largely irrelevant to whether 4G will happen in 2012.
I wouldn't hold my breath, if it happens, it will be mostly in name only/will only function as promised in large markets with very low population density (e.g. forget major metros - more sprawling suburban areas bordering these markets).
Think I sound grumpy/unrealistic? Remember, it was in 2007 when people were looking at Jobs cockeyed for offering an EDGE only device. Today, 3+ yrs later, a vast majority of US iPhone users aren't much better off.
Network coverage is poor, 3G areas with coverage don't have good spectrum design, or are quite over-subscribed.
It's not about the hardware outside of having a chipset that is efficient and a battery with the mAh to drive it, so the pace of HW development is largely irrelevant to whether 4G will happen in 2012.
I wouldn't hold my breath, if it happens, it will be mostly in name only/will only function as promised in large markets with very low population density (e.g. forget major metros - more sprawling suburban areas bordering these markets).
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