LTE Watch: Verizon Promises Big Footprint

LR Mobile News Analysis Dan Jones, Mobile Editor 3/5/2010

Verizon Wireless CTO promises that the operator will have up to 60 Long-Term Evolution markets up and running by 2012, as we wrap up this week's news about the upcoming pre-4G networks.

It seems likely that Verizon is saving any major news about its LTE deployment until the CTIA spring show in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks' time. Nonethless, CTO Tony Melone did give Network World a snippet of information on how fast the network might grow after the operator launches its expected 25 to 30 markets in 2010.

"Fifteen months after our initial launch we're planning to double the number of markets that have LTE," Melone says. By our count that means Verizon should have between 50 and 60 markets up either in late 2011 or in 2012, depending on exactly when the initial launch in 2010 is.

Wi-LAN Inc. (Toronto: WIN) (Nasdaq: WILN) is said to have its peepers on one of the last remaining assets owned by Nortel Networks Ltd. -- its LTE patents. This should come as no surprise to regular readers. Wi-LAN has bought up WiMax- and WiFi-related portfolios in the past; LTE is the next logical step. (See Cisco Relents on Wi-LAN Claims.)

Ready for more Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone rumors? We know we are... Well, here's the latest: Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is going to use the LTE chipset from startup Beceem Communications Inc. for the iPhone 4G, which was expected to be ready in the second quarter of 2011, delaying the launch of the mythical beast until, ooh, at least the third quarter. Bwahahahahahahahaha. Design cycles? Yeah, we've heard of them.

Could the move to LTE in the US mean a move away from all-you-can-eat data plans? Maybe so.

Singapore is readying for LTE availability in 2011. MobileOne Ltd. (M1) (Singapore: MONE) is working on trials now.

You want more LTE? Click away, gentle reader:

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile