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Verizon Won't get more WP7 Devices until they have LTE

Until WP7 has LTE support, Verizon won't be getting any new devices according to an interview with CNET:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57335807-94/verizons-big-plans-for-4g-next-year/

This sucks. I could care less about LTE right now anyway. My area won't have it for another year, maybe more. And the battery life on LTE phones won't really be good until they new processors that are due out late summer 2012 where the processor and LTE radio chip are on the same chip. Sucks.

Comments

SickFreak

Here's the important part of the article:

Windows Phone needs LTE, stat
While Android and the iOS are taking off for Verizon, one platform that has stalled at the carrier is Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. Verizon quietly put out one Windows Phone handset in the market this year, and Walden didn't seem particularly excited to be adding more.

For Verizon, the biggest problem with Windows Phone is the lack of support for LTE. Microsoft has said it would add LTE support, but hasn't been specified as to when.

"We've communicated to Microsoft that LTE is critical to us," she said. "We need to see a timeline that makes sense if we want to continue to represent them."

Given Verizon's LTE focus, it'll be hard to see a handset maker successfully convince Verizon to take a chance on a 3G Windows Phone product.

Verizon continues to work with Microsoft on this issue, Walden said, but didn't have anything new to discuss.

As I read it.... they're waiting on Microsoft, which may take a while. And then will hardware need to be built around Microsoft's LTE code? If so, I'd say we're waiting for at least another year.

primortal

Finnaly some good news from VZW. Also I think Microsoft cares a lot about battery life and hopefully they can get better life out of LTE. Hopefully Microsoft can get LTE into Tango and we'll not have to wait till Windows Phone 8.

chinch

verizon finally came clean on the obvious. too bad the article is not fully correct. Verizon is dragging it's heels regardless.

LTE is said to be available and ready now or shortly with a WP7.5 Mango update perhaps even "Tango". Nokia was said months ago to be one of the first to do it. The timeline early 2012 after CES plays right into the Nokia Lumia shipping overseas 1st with a localized market (lte, larger screen) for usa.

http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2011/10/05/nokia-reported-readying-lte-mango-phone.htm

Of course if this phone goes to at&t (not Verizon LTE) then Verizon truly has put WP7 in a vice grip to gain a stronghold over microsoft just to show it's marketing muscle.

SickFreak wrote:
Here's the important part of the article:

Windows Phone needs LTE, stat
While Android and the iOS are taking off for Verizon, one platform that has stalled at the carrier is Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. Verizon quietly put out one Windows Phone handset in the market this year, and Walden didn't seem particularly excited to be adding more.

For Verizon, the biggest problem with Windows Phone is the lack of support for LTE. Microsoft has said it would add LTE support, but hasn't been specified as to when.

"We've communicated to Microsoft that LTE is critical to us," she said. "We need to see a timeline that makes sense if we want to continue to represent them."

Given Verizon's LTE focus, it'll be hard to see a handset maker successfully convince Verizon to take a chance on a 3G Windows Phone product.

Verizon continues to work with Microsoft on this issue, Walden said, but didn't have anything new to discuss.

As I read it.... they're waiting on Microsoft, which may take a while. And then will hardware need to be built around Microsoft's LTE code? If so, I'd say we're waiting for at least another year.

primortal

chinch wrote:
verizon finally came clean on the obvious. too bad the article is not fully correct. Verizon is dragging it's heels regardless.
LTE is said to be available and ready now or shortly with a WP7.5 Mango update perhaps even "Tango". Nokia was said months ago to be one of the first to do it. The timeline early 2012 after CES plays right into the Nokia Lumia shipping overseas 1st with a localized market (lte, larger screen) for usa.
http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2011/10/05/nokia-reported-readying-lte-mango-phone.htm
Of course if this phone goes to at&t (not Verizon LTE) then Verizon truly has put WP7 in a vice grip to gain a stronghold over microsoft just to show it's marketing muscle.

I've heard about the samething that Nokia has LTE bits available...

Well according to an article on PCMag, http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2395983,00.asp VZW is also suppose to announce a Nokia phone as well. The question is if it's still true or not.

hopmedic

Since the HTC Radar (TMO) has LTE, this is an invalid argument. Just like the argument that Xphone is GSM so it can't come to Verizon (see my prior statements that Trophy started as GSM in Europe and Arrive started as 7Pro in Europe).

hopmedic

My personal feelings are that with all the complaints of battery life in LTE phones, I don't want one unless LTE can be shut off, ESPECIALLY since LTE is not avaiable where I live or work.

chinch

New WP7.5 Mango-ready devices like HTC Radar, Samsung Focus S, HTC Titan and Samsung Focus Flash are 4G but not "LTE" nor verizon LTE compliant.

No need to spread misinformation to already frustrated Verizon victims (customers).

Right now Verizon LTE support for WP seems well ahead of iPhone and is only waiting on Verizon to say "we want to start selling it". Again CES Nokia is the most likely first crack at such a possible announcement. It ain't happening for holiday season.

hopmedic wrote:
Since the HTC Radar (TMO) has LTE, this is an invalid argument. Just like the argument that Xphone is GSM so it can't come to Verizon (see my prior statements that Trophy started as GSM in Europe and Arrive started as 7Pro in Europe).

haysouse1

OP, you can still get the Trophy if you don't care for LTE.

I think it's probably due to consumer requests, I've seen other posters here saying Verizon has polled them asking about what they're waiting for. They probably decided that a 3G phone won't sell well, or that 3G is fully covered by current 3G phones. The Lumia doesn't really stand out that much from the Trophy, and the market might not be enough to support both.

LTE has been out for a while now, requiring it for a smartphone is almost like requiring touch screens heh.

DTrumpower

Maybe Verizon should stop issuing ultimatums and concentrate on fixing their LTE network first. It's been down since around noon today, and apparently there is a bug that will not let the phones drop down to 3G (they're working on that too, apparently).

Nice job, fellas! :smileymad:

JasonSCarter

I know the trophy is available. But its not up to par specs wise with what I want. HTC Titan, or Samsung Focus S device is more in line with what I want. Trophy was 8 months old by the time Verizon got it. Even older now. For a first gen WP7 device, its even below the original Samsung Focus. I am not signing a two year contract on a phone that old with no FF cam, slower processor, etc.

haysouse1

^ I hear ya. I think locking in with the Titan or whatever else single core old-G device is not a good idea either, especially when WP8 or whatever it'll be called is dangled for mid 2012. Fow now I'm eschewing this mess and going LTE Android (yes, even considering the spyware problems someone else posted here. I think spyware issues are mostly up to the user). Heck, if I just do nothing and wait for MS/Verizon to sort it out, it might take another 20 months anyway and who knows what the landscape will be like then.

JasonSCarter

I am going to stick it out and wait if CES brings any news. I am still under contract until May. But by then It would be 5 months since my loyalty discount was available. It will most likely expire by the time a new WP7 phone comes out to Verizon, if they get one at all.

I am currently on Android (Original HTC Droid Incredible) It's still doing ok, since I recently got Gingerbread on it. If by May nothing looks like it's coming, I may just jump ship to ATT. They should have their Nokia device by then. My sisters boyfriend is a regional manager there and should be able to get me a sweet deal on any phone he said.

hopmedic

You know, there are reasons that there are no LTE Windows Phones yet... Battery life being a primary one. Here's my question for Verizon:

What is Apple's time line for LTE?

haysouse

"You know, there are reasons that there are no LTE Windows Phones yet... Battery life being a primary one."

That's fine, gimme an LTE phone and I'll switch back to 3G or no data when I want more battery life.

MS using battery as an excuse is looking lame this long after LTE rollout.

hopmedic

haysouse wrote:
"You know, there are reasons that there are no LTE Windows Phones yet... Battery life being a primary one."

That's fine, gimme an LTE phone and I'll switch back to 3G or no data when I want more battery life.
MS using battery as an excuse is looking lame this long after LTE rollout.

Which would be great if there was a way to turn LTE off.....

Again, I'll ask, since VZW wants a "timeline that makes sense" from Microsoft... What does Apple's timeline look like?

haysouse1

Why wouldn't there be a way to turn LTE off?

What does apple have to do with anything?

JasonSCarter

Because on the Android phones you can't turn LTE off. Thats why. If you have one, and live in an LTE area, you are always on LTE, eating up battery life. Check out Engagets review of the HTC Rezound. Like 5 hours of battery life at best.

haysouse

Err, I looked at the LTE phones at a VZ store recently, it's pretty easy to turn off LTE.

Didn't even need to go to a menu, there was apps/widgets. It's such an easy thing to add and a no-brainer to provide that noone should be worried about being "forced" to use LTE.

I don't doubt the 5 hr battery life on the Rezound but that's not really relevant unless you plan to use it as a webserver or something.

And o yea, you can turn off LTE if you need it to last longer.

hopmedic

There are plenty of LTE phones where it can NOT be turned off.

What does Apple have to do with it? Well, VZW won't take on a WP without LTE now, but iPhone without it is fine?

chinch

hopmedic wrote:
There are plenty of LTE phones where it can NOT be turned off.

What does Apple have to do with it? Well, VZW won't take on a WP without LTE now, but iPhone without it is fine?

It's a moot point if LTE can be turned off or that iPhone has no LTE.

I have no doubt Verizon & MS have have clearly hashed out their requirements & roadmap with WP7.... perhaps as early back as when MS Kin'd the KIN phones in haste (maybe not in haste but to make a point and withdraw "windows phone" branding from VZW channel).

Verizon was NEVER committing to WP7 seriously until LTE ships and MS knew that LTE support would not be until Gen2/2012 .... they knew this long before WP7 shipped in the usa 11/2010 due to chipset support alone!!!!!

Verizon should have had a better "stopgap" or v1 phone than the HTC Trophy but that is for another topic.

Verizon is brutal and anti-consumer as a result WP7 users must wait out and hope for the Nokia Ace/900 LTE it seems, perhaps shown at CES.

haysouse

The Charge, Bionic, Razr, Rezound, Galaxy Nexus can all turn off LTE.

What else is there? I didn't bother to look at the junk like the Stratosphere or the Revolution. But that's plenty of options with LTE "optional".

Apple can release a 3G phone b/c Apple users don't know specs in the first place. Apple can release a 2G phone and they'll still buy it.

As other threads here mention, VZ surveys with customers say that most people won't buy a 3G WP7. Android and W users tend to be more computer literate and demand respectable hw, especially at the same price points. Droid Charge is free online, as a reference, and the Galaxy Nexus is 199.99. Another 3G WP7 probably has no market potential. Even 4G Androids like Charge and the dual core Bionic are just about done by now.

primortal

VZ surveys with customers say that most people won't buy a 3G WP7

What is this survey VZ speaks of? Was this a survey loaded with a precursor that 3G is a lot slower than LTE than ask would you prefer 3G WP7 phone or an LTE one which would be faster?

Doesn't LTE phones fall back to 3G (or lesser) when LTE isn't available? So people who have LTE phones in an area that has limited or no LTE coverage is going to get a sour taste when the phone data connectivity is slow as molasses.

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