Although AT&T has already unveiled its first LTE devices and Verizon has launched its 4G LTE network in the US, future users are limited in their options when it comes to sharing networks. Verizon phones and devices may not be compatible with AT&T’s network and vice versa. This may put consumers who are used to unlocking devices in a sour mood.
It seems that Verizon is purposely designing its phones to run on its own network to lock out all other carriers such as AT&T. The latter may end up doing the same. The two networks run on different frequencies, Verizon’s in mostly the 746-787 MHz band, and AT&T’s mainly in 704-746 MHz band. The two spectrums do overlap, but not enough to allow much swapping between networks and devices. If 4G fails, Verizon and MetroPCS users fall back on their CDMA 3G network which is incompatible with AT&T’s fallback HSPA/GSM network technology.
If competition really is the major factor causing this kind of exclusivity, we are sure to see both companies setting up sales through MetroPCS, in which they both own spectrum. Future possibilities are also in mind for Lightsquared and Cricket, both of which are in the process of developing networks.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Thank god for deregulation and the consumer in mind!………/