Verizon expanding 3G / EVDO coverage in Illinois with 96 towers -- 4G planned for 2010

National Deployment of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network Scheduled to begin in 2010

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 4  -- Verizon Wireless today announced that it has activated 11 new cell sites in Illinois in the first quarter and is on target to build a total of 96 new cell sites in 2009, spending more than $150 million on its network in the state this year.

The 96 new cell sites will expand network coverage and increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

Where possible, Verizon Wireless will be installing permanent generators, along with batteries, at its new cell sites, ensuring its customers can continue to communicate during power outages, tornados, flooding and other disasters.

"Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless," said T.J. Fox, president-Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless. "Getting through on the first try and maintaining a connection are what matter most to our customers. This year, our mission remains the same: We will continue to perfect our network so that our customers in Illinois know they can depend on us every time they pick up their wireless devices."

Moving Forward with 4G

Verizon Wireless is also working this year on building the underlying infrastructure that will enable it to become the first wireless company to offer commercial 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based service in the United States, starting in 2010.

"LTE enables us to continue to meet business customer demands for a higher bandwidth, low latency service that works broadly in the United States and globally, while helping us to meet consumer demand for mobilizing the many applications they frequently use when tethered to high bandwidth wired networks," said Fox. "We look forward to bringing a new, enhanced mobile broadband experience for consumers and enterprises throughout the United States."

It's been several months since the XOHM-Clearwire merger and Clear service has now been active in Portland since January, but there is STILL no concrete update on what is going to happen to XOHM users. We know, of course, that the XOHM brand name is on the way out and will eventually be replaced by Clear, but as for these pressing issues:

• Will XOHM users be able to keep their XOHM plans once they're officially being billed by Clearwire?
• If a XOHM user took a XOHM modem to Portland right now, would it work?
• If a Clear user took a Clear modem to Baltimore right now, would that work? 
• What happened to Chicago coverage? While it was never an officially launched XOHM network, for several months users were able to order XOHM modems, activate them online, and connect to XOHM "unofficially" in Chicago, but that is no longer working.

There are still no answers!

We here at 4Ginfo have been searching high and low for answers to these questions, but to essentially no avail. Clear reps were unable to confirm whether their modems would work in Baltimore (which, remember, was a "XOHM" network), but one Clear rep indicated that XOHM modems should work in Portland on the Clear network with some sort of "update" to the modem itself.

Unfortunately, they didn't know anything about this mystery update, or where to get it, or what it is. 

Next stop was XOHM customer service, who informed us that an update has been put out that "should" allow XOHM devices to work in Portland on Clear network - but where is this update? And WHAT is it? Is it something that the user has to install, or some sort of automatic update (a la a PRL update, for example?) The rep had no idea and said that since the Clearwire hasn't officially taken over yet, he really wasn't sure, but it "should work". Similarly, according to XOHM, Clear modems "should" work on XOHM in Baltimore.... but they "don't exactly support that at this time".

When we asked what had happened to the coverage in Chicago, we were told that it was a "future market" and would be launching soon. When? No answer. And where, exactly, in the Chicago area? No answer.

We've posed our questions to Clear again and are awaiting a reply, but short of heading out on a road trip from Portland to Baltimore to test the devices ourselves, it seems unlikely that we'll have any of these answers any time soon. With Verizon and AT&T making progress on LTE and promising launches later this year, Clearwire would be wise to get their act together and at the very least provide some solid answers for XOHM users about HOW they can use Clear (if indeed they can), WHERE they can use it, and what will happen with our XOHM accounts!

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless today released its initial set of technical specifications for devices that will run on its Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation (4G) wireless network. The specifications are available for download at www.verizonwireless-opendevelopment.com.

To encourage developers to design devices that can take advantage of 4G network speeds and capabilities, Verizon Wireless said it would host a Web conference on LTE device specifications on May 13, 2009. The Web conference is designed to discuss the details regarding the latest on LTE specifications, answer questions, and gather feedback, all with a goal of encouraging transparency, clarity and ease in designing devices to run on LTE networks.

Designed to provide guidelines for both access and data transport for LTE devices, the specifications mark the next phase of the wireless leader’s open development program by broadening the program to include the new LTE technology. The LTE device specifications will be a roadmap for developers who choose to develop devices for submission to the LTE certification process.

Tony Lewis, vice president of open development at Verizon Wireless, said, “Hardware is the starting point, and Verizon Wireless is encouraging developers to get excited about designing innovative products and services the future requires. We want to publish details to the development community as soon as possible to get us started on that journey. Verizon Wireless is fully committed to openness and transparency that brings companies and people together, harnessing the power of LTE over 700 MHz spectrum. In broadly sharing how LTE standards for access and transport will translate into our specifications today, we can provide a framework for all developers who want to begin their work immediately.”

The LTE Specification Web Conference will take place on Wednesday, May 13. Developers interested in attending the webcast should visit www.verizonwireless-opendevelopment.com to register and download the LTE device specifications.

Verizon Wireless reiterated that commercial use of its LTE network is expected to commence in 2010. The company’s LTE network ultimately will connect a full range of electronics devices and machines to each other.

For more information about open development, visit www.verizonwireless-opendevelopment.com.

Taiwan's Tatung University made history today by becoming the first campus in the world to provide mobile WiMAX to its college community. The fixed-location network was put into place by Alcatel-Lucent and Via Technologies is providing WiMAX-enabled netbook computers to use with the system, but a wide array of companies contributed to the project, including China Television, D-Link, Gemtek, Intel Taiwan, and ZyXEL Communications.

The idea behind blanketing a large area with wireless internet access is not a new one - over the years there have been many proposals to provide WiFi at the community level. However, WiFi has such a limited range that these deployments have not proved widely successful. A fixed WiMAX network, though, can provide a much broader coverage area even through buildings and the superior bandwidth capabilities mean that more users can share the connection. 

While carriers in the US are (slowly but surely) working on bringing WiMAX to various markets, the experiment at Tatung University could serve as an interesting example of what else providers like Clearwire could be doing with their technology.

BOISE, Idaho – CradlePoint Technology, the global leader in 3G and 4G network solutions, will work closely with one of its top channel partners to roll out the next generation of 4G mobile broadband routers.

3GStore.com will begin selling the latest in 3G/4G routing solutions on April 7. CradlePoint’s business-class routers, including the MBR800 and MBR1000 line of mobile broadband routers, CTR500 mobile broadband travel router, and CBA250 cellular broadband adapter, will have 4G WiMAX compatibility built in. In addition, a free firmware upgrade will be available for download from their site on April 6 for existing CradlePoint customers.

“We rely heavily on our platinum level channel partners to help us educate the market, support customers and roll out key product lines.” said Jack Alton, CradlePoint VP of Sales. “3GStore has supported us from the beginning and we are pleased to have their continued support as we introduce the powerful new capabilities of 4G WiMAX in our business class routers.”

“CradlePoint routers are at the forefront of this industry. We have seen many other companies with products in this space that simply don’t meet the demands of our customers.” said Michael Ginsberg, CEO and Founder of 3GStore.com. “The price, ease-of-use and advanced feature set make these products a perfect fit for the businesses we serve.”

CradlePoint’s firmware release version 1.5.1 puts the power of 4G WiMAX into the hands of consumers and businesses, and enables a new class of business-capable mobile broadband with 4G download speeds that exceed DSL, and rivals cable modem speeds. The release offers continued support for all current 3G devices, over 70 different combinations of modems and cellular broadband networks.

For more information and a complete list of supported devices on both 3G and 4G networks in the 1.5.1 firmware release, go to 3Gstore.com, or www.cradlepoint.com. The free upgrade is now available.

Technicians at 3Gstore.com have been helping test 4G support for the prior 3 months.

All new CradlePoint orders will automatically include this firmware on CD for new orders shipped starting the week of April 6, 2009

Download firmware 1.5.1

Clearwire may only offer service in a select few cities, but soon you'll be able to do more with your service when you have access. Cradlepoint, manufacturer of some of the best 3G wireless routers around, has created a wireless router for use with the Clear USB modem that will allow you to share your Clear WiMAX connection wirelessly with multiple computers!

Neither Clearwire nor Cradlepoint have released official technical specifications, but the Clear Spot appears to be very similar to the 3G PHS300 and features a built-in battery for truly mobile use. It will also work with various 3G phones and USB modems (including EVDO and HSPA), making it even more versatile.

The upcoming Clear Spot (estimated to be available mid-April 2009) will retail for $139. 

Discuss the Clear Spot Personal Hotspot on the 4G Forums

Nokia exited the WiMAX tablet business earlier this year when they discontinued their N810 tablet back in January, apparently not seeing the potential either of WiMAX or the tablet format, both of which are still new to most consumers, but now it appears that Samsung will be stepping into the market. Photos and a name have been leaked from Samsung for their upcoming WiMAX-enabled tablet, the SWD-M100 Mondi, and while no tech specs or official announcement has been revealed, it is reported that the Mondi will work with the Clearwire network in the USA.

Since no specs have been announced, it's tough to guess at this time about what the Mondi will (and won't) be able to do. It clearly has a nice large full QWERTY keyboard and is alleged to have a touch screen, but aside from that, we'll just have to wait!

Will Samsung have better luck than Nokia with their WiMAX tablet - or at least give it a chance to take hold on the market? 

Discuss the Mondi tablet on the 4G Forums