Friday, 19 August 2011 18:17
(Click image for larger picture)
When Verizon Wireless released their 4G LTE network they changed the way people thought about mobile broadband. The latency, download and upload speeds are approaching higher end cable tiers, which allow customers to enjoy things that simply weren't possible over a 3G connection. However, the new 4G network has gone through growing pains and is causing some frustration in maintaining a reliable internet connection for some users. So, what exactly is the issue with the Verizon 4G network? Users with any 3G/4G wireless modem or smartphone are reporting an active internet connection, but they can't get out to the internet. We've discovered what is causing the issue and why you may be getting a false-positive reading on if your internet connection is actually available. The issue is with how Verizon identity's network traffic and why your Cradlepoint, Nexaira, WiFi Ranger or stand alone device indicates it's connected but won't get online. When a router or stand alone device runs a health check they're using ICMP ping's to get out to the internet. This means you could run a command prompt or network utility and appear that you're online by pinging any web address. However, that's not the case because in order to access a website, you need to use TCP/UDP protocols and that is the part of Verizon's network that seems to be having issues. The video below demonstrates this issue with a MiFi 4510L and HTC Thunderbolt smartphone: As you can see from the video these are stand alone devices that aren't using any type of 3G/4G router and have the same problem. If you're using a router and can't seem to get out to the internet despite the router indicating you're connected to the internet, you must contact Verizon to report the issue. Again, the routers measure an internet connection by ICMP and the issue is with TCP/UDP and that is something only Verizon can fix. We've managed to duplicate this issue with a Pantech UML290 and Novatel USB551L 3G/4G modem and if you refer to the picture at the top, you'll notice the router appears online and can ping out, but can't get out to the internet. If you're experiencing these issues please contact Verizon Customer Service at - 1-800-922-0204
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Wednesday, 17 August 2011 22:31
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless is turning on the world's most advanced wireless network in 15 additional cities and expanding its network in 10 cities on Aug. 18, bringing the blazingly fast speed of 4G LTE to more than 160 million Americans – more than half the U.S. population – in fewer than eight months. Consumers and businesses can choose from an array of 4G LTE-enabled smartphones, tablets, notebooks and netbooks, and hotspots to connect to the fastest 4G LTE network in the country, now available in 117 cities. On Thursday, Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network will be available in Tucson, Ariz.; Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, Ark.; Bakersfield and Salinas/Monterey/Seaside, Calif.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Frederick, Md.; Worcester, Mass.; Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa; Albany, Ithaca and Syracuse, N.Y.; Altoona and Johnstown, Pa.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Provo, Utah. The company is also expanding its 4G LTE network on Thursday in Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Lansing, Mich.; New York, N.Y.; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; and Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah. "In eight short months we've introduced our 4G LTE network to more than half of the U.S. population, while continuing to offer the nation's most reliable 3G network coast to coast," said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. "This matters to millions of Americans because they can take advantage of faster 4G LTE speeds both at home and when they travel throughout the country – today and in many more markets to come this year. Each new market and expansion is significant as it brings us closer to delivering on the promise to bring our 4G LTE network to more than 185 million Americans by the end of 2011." 4G LTE Devices- Consumers can choose from 10 devices to access the blazingly fast speeds of the 4G LTE network, including:
- Smartphones: Revolution™ by LG, DROID Charge by Samsung and ThunderBolt™ by HTC
- Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 with 4G LTE
- Notebooks and Netbooks: HP® Pavilion dm1-3010nr Entertainment PC and Compaq™ Mini CQ10-688nr with built-in 4G LTE
- Hotspots: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi™ 4510L and Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11
- Modems: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L and Pantech UML290 USB modem
In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas today who purchase 4G LTE devices to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas. Reliability: In and Beyond Major CitiesAs the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy game-changing 4G LTE technology, Verizon Wireless is committed to building its 4G LTE network with the same performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized. Verizon Wireless' consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year. The company's 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G LTE, including a contiguous, nationwide network license. Verizon Wireless' vision also includes bringing its 4G LTE network beyond major cities. The company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G LTE network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless' core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum. Already, 10 rural companies have announced their participation in the LTE in Rural America program and have leased spectrum covering, in total, more than 2.1 million people in rural communities and nearly 62,000 square miles. These companies include: Bluegrass Cellular, Cross Telephone, Pioneer Cellular, Cellcom, Thumb Cellular, Strata Networks, S&R Communications, Carolina West/Clear Stream, Custer Telephone Cooperative and Convergence Technologies.
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Tuesday, 16 August 2011 16:32
According to Gizmodo, FCC documents were leaked regarding the AT&T; T-Mobile merger, and details AT&T's plans for their 4G LTE rollout. These documents indicate that AT&T plans to cover 70 million Americans by the end of this year, 170 million by the end of next, 250 million by the end of 2013. This will be made possible by upgrading 44,000 nodes to LTE with 8,000 this year, 16,000 next year and 20,000 in 2013. They've also mentioned the plan to cover 97 percent of Americans if the T-Mobile merger goes through, but it could take them till 2018 to convert all of their hardware to hit their coverage goal. This may sound impressive, but AT&T is already at a significant disadvantage in the 4G race with Verizon already offering 4G LTE in 100+ markets and Sprint's 4G WiMAX covering 70+ markets. In fact, Verizon plans to have over 175 markets 4G enabled by the end of the year, and cover their entire 3G network with 4G by 2013. This means that by the AT&T covers 70 million pops with LTE, Verizon will already be offering the service to over 200 million users.
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Monday, 15 August 2011 16:29
 If you've been excited for a 4G WiMAX enabled BlackBerry Playbook don't get your hopes up. Sprint has confirmed they've cancelled the WiMAX 4G version of the RIM tablet, however, all is not lost as a 4G LTE version is in the works. There is no ETA on the device at this time or carrier, but it's undergoing development and testing. The following is a statement from RIM directly "RIM has decided to prioritize and focus its 4G development resources on LTE. We remain excited and committed to delivering innovative and powerful 4G tablets to the US market together with our carrier partners. Testing of BlackBerry 4G PlayBook models is already underway and we plan to enter labs for network certifications in the US and other international markets this fall". The Playbook isn't selling as well as the Apple iPad2 or Android tablets, and it looks like Sprint feels investing on a 4G WiMAX capable Playbook won't be worth the effort. Sprint does mention that this shouldn't have an impact on their relationship with RIM.
Tuesday, 09 August 2011 19:32
 (Image courtesy of IGN)In a leaked screenshot we can see that their are some new 4G LTE devices coming within the next few months. It looks like there will be a total of seven LTE capable, but three of those will be tablet devices. Given the dates from the screenshot we can expect that the first wave will hit early on in September, with more devices to follow in the first part of October. Verizon has been very aggressive with their LTE deployment and should have a total of 118 4G markets launched by August 18.
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Monday, 08 August 2011 22:56
Clearwire has announced that they plan to add LTE in addition to their existing WiMAX network, but will require approximately $600 million to do so. They've decided to make this move as most other countries have implemented LTE and offering dual services will give them greater flexibility for international travelers. Their initial LTE deployments will be in densely populated areas that are already covered with WiMAX to get the greatest ROI. Within their initial testing they believe they can provide between 50 to 90Mbps on average, to customers. The equipment that they'll be rolling out will also support LTE Advanced, but don't expect to be rolling out service for about six months. The reason Clearwire will be able to offer both WiMAX and LTE is the amount of spectrum they currently hold. In most metropolitan areas they hold over 100Mhz of spectrum, which exceeds every other mobile operators holdings. They plan to start out by using 20Mhz for their LTE networks, twice what Verizon uses in most of their 4G LTE markets. They'll be able to use some of their existing base stations, wired backhaul and tower leases to provide the service to consumers. In the second quarter their pro forma revenue was up $293.7 million, up 151% from last years quarter. With growth like this they expect to have a positive cash flow by early next year, but still need to find a way to get the working capital to build out their LTE network.
Friday, 05 August 2011 22:52
RESTON, Va. and CINCINNATI, Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LightSquared™, the nation's first wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE wireless broadband and satellite network, and PowerNet Global, a leading nationwide provider of integrated telecommunications services, today announced that they have entered into a multi-year wholesale agreement. Under this agreement, PowerNet Global will become a wholesale customer on LightSquared's 4G-LTE network and will develop its own branded voice and high-speed mobile data services for its business and residential customers. This partnership represents a major step towards making the latest generation of mobile services available to PowerNet Global's growing customer base throughout the United States. "The partnership with LightSquared helps fulfill our goal of delivering an expanding array of advanced communications services to our customers across the country," said Bernie Stevens, president and chief executive officer of PowerNet Global. "LightSquared's nationwide network and wholesale business model give us the opportunity to deepen our existing customer relationships and expand into new markets." "We are very pleased to provide PowerNet Global with access to LightSquared's best-in-class wireless broadband network," said Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman and chief executive officer of LightSquared. "This agreement reaffirms LightSquared's commitment to enable established service providers, such as PowerNet Global, to include competitive wireless offerings in the services they provide to their customers." About LightSquared LightSquared's mission is to revolutionize the U.S. wireless industry. With the creation of the first-ever, wholesale-only nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage, LightSquared offers people the speed, value and reliability of universal connectivity, wherever they are in the United States. As a wholesale-only operator, LightSquared will deploy an open 4G wireless broadband network to be used by existing and new service providers to sell their own devices, applications and services – at a competitive cost and without retail competition from LightSquared. The deployment and operation of LightSquared's network represent more than $14 billion of private investment over the next eight years. For more information about LightSquared, please go to www.LightSquared.com, www.facebook.com/LightSquared and www.twitter.com/LightSquared. About PowerNet Global A leader in the telecommunications industry for nearly two decades and a multi-award winning company, communications provider PowerNet Global (www.powernetglobal.com) provides voice, data, SIP, and managed solutions to commercial and residential customers nationwide. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, PowerNet Global has achieved consistent growth by developing and marketing an expanding array of competitive products and maintaining a clear focus on delivering unrivaled service to its partners and customers.
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