Verizon's 4G LTE in Rural America

Monday, 03 January 2011 00:19
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Many of our readers live in rural America where 3G internet is their only option for broadband internet connectivity since they are not in populated areas where cable & DSL are available. With the launch of Verizon's 4G LTE network, rural America may finally get speeds that meet or even exceed what cable or DSL is able to provide. At launch VZ4G is currently only available in select metropolitan markets, but according to Verizon's About Us page, they plan to start building out their 4G network into rural areas.

Verizon Wireless is aggressively building the nation’s first 4G LTE network across the same footprint that is currently covered by its nationwide 3G network, which covers more than 90% of the U.S. population. In order to provide access to this 4G LTE network to more of the U.S. population living in rural areas, Verizon Wireless plans to work with rural companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core LTE equipment and 700MHz spectrum.

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eHRPD 4G Wireless Evolution

Thursday, 30 December 2010 00:27
Over the past decade there has been an explosion in the demand for mobile internet and of course faster data transfer speeds. This creates a natural evolution of data networks, which helps users run the latest applications they've grown accustomed to with typical hard wired internet connections (cable, DSL, etc). Verizon has recently launched their 4G LTE network in 38 markets, which marks the start of their transition from CDMA 3G to 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) data services, which are capable of delivering speeds of 5-12Mbps down and 2-5Mbps on a fully loaded network. This allows users to do things like full HD video streaming, which wasn't possible over a 3G connection without constant rebuffering.

Unlike GSM/UMTS carriers like AT&T, Verizon's transition to LTE wasn't a natural evolution because they had to change from High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) to LTE. This meant that they needed to choose a migration path factored by radio access strategy, network resource strategy, services enabled, timing and cost. While moving to LTE service their goal was to simplifying interworking with non-3GPP mobile networks, which is essential for CDMA carriers migrating to LTE.   


CDMA upgrade paths to LTE

Verizon has decided to use eHRPD as their upgrade path to 4G, which allows them to update their existing HRPD packet core using SAE/EPC architecture. The primary benefit that eHRPD offers is the handoff between cellular towers - you maintain the same private IP when you move from location to location. With this new protocol operators will be able to optimize cellular handovers, which should reduce dropped sessions and decrease the handover latency.

Verizon has said they don't plan to move their voice services over to 4G until 2020, and using eHRPD will help make VOIP calls more reliable when the move happens. With 3G CDMA services, as you move to a new location you're typically assigned a new IP address, which could cause the internet to hang up on you momentarily. The new eHRPD standard will allow complete network overlay to share common functions such as policy, charging and authentication. This allows Verizon to provide a phased migration as they transition more of their 3G network to the latest 4G LTE technology.      
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Tech Lovers Rejoice! The San Francisco Bay Area is Wired with Sprint 4G

Tuesday, 28 December 2010 17:17
The Power and Speed of Sprint 4G is Now Available in 71 Markets Nationwide


OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 28, 2010 - Today, Sprint (NYSE:S) officially unleashed the power of 4G in one of the world’s largest hotbeds of technological creativity and advancement - the San Francisco Bay Area. The new mobile broadband service from Sprint enables fast mobile downloads, wireless video chat and turbo-charged mobile Web browsing up to 10 times faster than 3G service1. The service will initially be available in San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto and Oakland. Nationwide, tech enthusiasts are enjoying the power and speed of the Sprint 4G network, in 71 markets2 across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City.

The Sprint 4G Network can be accessed with a wide range of 3G/4G capable devices. For example, tourists can snap a photo of a San Francisco landmark with their Samsung Epic™ 4G and use Google Goggles to pull up facts about it by using visual search technology. Customers can video chat on their HTC EVO™ 4G, and families traveling for the holidays can power up the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot to share 4G speeds with up to five WiFi-enabled devices – such as an iPad™, laptop, iPod Touch™ or game console – making downloads, streaming video and Web browsing fast and easy. For students, consumers and small businesses that rely on Internet access, Web browsing and social networking to stay connected, Sprint also offers Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 (1012) netbook designed to deliver maximum connectivity in a compact size.

“The Bay Area is responsible for creating so much new technology and today we are bringing the power of 4G to our customers in that region who are hungry for fast mobile broadband,” said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. “The introduction of Sprint 4G will be a great asset for this area, and we encourage customers to try it by using one of our well-regarded 4G mobile devices.”

The Bay Area’s own Raj Singh of San Jose was one of five winners of the Sprint 4G App Challenge. Singh developed an innovative application to help food lovers be more productive in the kitchen. His application, Recipe Search, is a reverse recipe finder app. The user simply speaks the ingredients they have in their refrigerator or pantry and will then see a display of meals with directions for creating something with those ingredients.

Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and since then has delivered a robust portfolio of 4G devices, including smartphones, USB aircards, notebook/netbook products, mobile hotspots and routers, that are currently being used by consumers and businesses across the country.
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Android-Powered Samsung SCH-I520 4G LTE Handset Coming to Verizon?

Monday, 27 December 2010 21:35


According to Tech Gadgets, a Samsung LTE-capable smartphone has emerged (SCH-I520) and is expected to be available on Verizon's new 4G LTE network. Gizmodo has published leaked photos which indicate that the phone will feature Android 2.2.1, a front facing camera, TouchWiz and may be one of the models announced at CES 2011. As of now the only LTE-capable smartphone is the Samsung Craft, and it is only available from MetroPCS. Verizon has said that they'll offer up to six LTE-capable handsets in the second half of 2011 as well as tablets to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple iPad.
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Verizon 4G LTE Doesn't Work for Remote Applications

Thursday, 23 December 2010 20:58


Update 1/27/12: Verizon is now offering static IP addresses for 4G LTE devices for a one-time fee of $500. Read more
 
Verizon has officially launched their new VZ4G LTE network and despite a few bugs the service has been pretty impressive so far. However, we've found a major problem that could be a deal breaker IF you require a router to run remote-based applications. The new LG VL600 and Pantech UML290 run a privately routed IP (10.) address that ONLY allows outbound traffic - no inbound traffic can be passed through. This means that if you have a need for remote access to a device, Verizon's new 3G/4G-capable devices will not allow you to access them like you could with a 3G-only modem.

Inbound Traffic Examples:
  • M2M (Machine to Machine)
  • SlingBox (Dish Network/Direct TV)
  • Remote IP Camera applications (Only IP Camera that currently works is CloudCam)
  • Access to off site server
  • DVR (Digital Video Recording)
  • Security Systems
  • FTP/SSH Servers
  • Screen Share Applications (Examples VNC, PC Anywhere)
  • Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop)
If you have any need for any of the above examples, we HIGHLY recommend purchasing a 3G-only device like the MiFi 2200, which allows a public facing IP. We have tried to test the Pantech UML290 with a SlingBox and Aztec Camera system and it WILL NOT pass inbound traffic or allow for any type of port forwarding (see below). We have heard from Verizon that they will be offering an option for a Static IP to be added to their 3G/4G devices in February, however, we don't know the cost or if the static IP will be public or private. After speaking with Verizon this option may be made available for a one time fee of $500 for a public facing IP address, but we won't know for sure until the option is officially available. If you require 4G and remote access Sprint and CLEAR are the only carriers to offer a solution.

Verizon Pantech UML290 with Private IP assigned


For the time being, if you require 4G internet and remote access to applications, your only option would be Sprint 4G, which DOES work with these types of applications.  
 
*** 12/31/2010 UPDATE ***  We have a tool that allows you to configure a public facing IP on 3G with details in the following article - How to configure your UML290 for a public IP in 3G mode
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Cradlepoint Releases Beta Firmware with Support for Verizon 3G/4G UML290 for CTR500/MBR1000/MBR1200

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 22:14
cradlepoint mbr1000
The MBR1000 (above) will now support the UML290 with beta firmware!

Cradlepoint users (and potential users!) have been eagerly awaiting support for Verizon's new 4G LTE-capable modems since Verizon launched their 4G service earlier this month, and we are happy to announce that Cradlepoint has released beta firmware for the CTR500, MBR1000, MBR1200, MBR800, CBA250, and CBA750 that supports the Pantech UML290 modem! This is great news for UML290 users wishing to share their connection with multiple computers/devices as well as Mac users who need a way to get online, period (as the UML290 is not officially supported on Mac OS yet). It is important to note that this beta firmware will only allow the UML290 to be used in 4G mode - if you are in a 3G area, the Cradlepoint router will not support the UML290.

Unfortunately, the LG VL600 modem is still not yet supported - this firmware release provides support only for the UML290. Additionally, the firmware is only compatible with the listed routers - if you own a different Cradlepoint model, this beta release will not work for you. Finally, keep in mind that this is a BETA release, which means that it has not gone through complete testing like an official release.

Click the links below to download the beta firmware file for your router:

Not sure how to update your router's firmware? Follow these directions: Updating Your Cradlepoint Router's Firmware

 

Verizon's Novatel USB551L 3G/4G USB Modem Will Officially Support Mac OS X

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 19:42
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USB551L Spec Sheet

 

It looks like Verizon will be offering another 3G/4G USB modem in the near future. Engadget published a spec sheet for the Novatel USB551L which indicates that it will be officially supported with Mac OS X. Currently Mac users who want to use Verizon's 4G service only have the option of using the UML290 after its been activated on a Windows machine, and configure Mac OS X to use the UML290. Even though this is a simple workaround, we're glad that Verizon will be offering a device that is fully supported with OS X, providing a simple setup & connection manager software that offers more detailed connection information.

If you're not a Mac user, the Verizon USB551L USB modem still offers a few other minor benefits over the VL600 & UML290. Like the UML290, the USB551L has a swivel USB connector allowing you to position the device at different angles instead of having it stick straight out of your laptop. The spec sheet also indicates that it has a proprietary/advanced antenna design for better performance. We've seen other mobile broadband devices in the past that also had an "advanced antenna design" that claims better performance, but from our experience these devices didn't provide any significant improvements over any other comparable device. The spec sheet doesn't indicate wether or not the USB551L will offer external antenna ports like the UML290, and this could be a deciding factor for many users who travel frequently or live in signal challenged areas.

Stay tuned to 4Ginfo.com for more info on the Verizon USB551L 3G/4G USB modem!

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