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Especially in the US, but the rest of the world isn't much better off, even the heavily regulated places. There are over 15 different mutually incompatible LTE frequency implementations. If not more, I probably lost count somewhere. That's crazy. We've got 6-8 different implementations just in North America. TO top it off, NONE of the above, and very few worldwide, implement any kind of voice over LTE, so you still need your basic CDMA or HSPA+ frequencies.
20-band phone anyone?
I figure HSPA+ is the way to go, phones are simpler, there really isn't all that much speed difference (it's generally limited and ignoring the LTE bands entirely means you have a LOT more options available. There's very little chance of LTE bands standardizing to a reasonable degree, especially when the same frequency can be a downlink in some implementations, an uplink in others, and both in spectrum-poor areas.
LTE, an acronym for Long-Term Evolution, commonly marketed as 4G LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals
LTE, an acronym for Long-Term Evolution, commonly marketed as 4G LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminals
Using the word "standard" is laughable. It's probably the most non-standardized "standard" out there. Heck phones in the USA now HAVE to be "per carrier" basically, no one can make a phone that even works on both T-Mobile and AT&T LTE, their implementations are too different.
You can make phones that work on multiple carriers, it's a matter of the carriers allowing them. Verizon wants to control every aspect of the phone firmware so they won't allow a Nexus 5 to be used, but unlocked neutral phones like the Nexus 5 can work on a number of carriers.
In any case T Mobile does not have very good signal for those who travel across the country.. for that you basically need larger carriers like Verizon, AT&T, or providers that run off these networks. I use Page Plus with an 80 dollar 2000 minute 1 year card.. I may switch to selectel where I can get the same plus 1500 texts for 75 bucks a year.... but no data plans or expensive phones for me. I got sick of ads, locked down phones, etc.
You can make phones that work on multiple carriers, it's a matter of the carriers allowing them. Verizon wants to control every aspect of the phone firmware so they won't allow a Nexus 5 to be used, but unlocked neutral phones like the Nexus 5 can work on a number of carriers.
No it isn't a matter of the carriers allowing them (except in the case of Verizon anyway, you're right, they're control freaks). Since theoretically AT&T and T-Mobile are supposed to be inter-operable to some degree, let's take a look at them.
T-Mobile USA LTE:
1700/2100 AWS (Band 4) - One frequency up, one frequency down
700 Mhz Block A (Band 12) - Planned
1900 MHz PCS (Band 2) - Planned
The only band that will work on both is the 1900 MHz PCS, assuming T-Mobile implements it right (they haven't built it yet). There's a CHANCE someone could make a phone that works with both of the Band 4 implementations (T-Mobile uses both frequencies in tandem, AT&T is 1700 MHz only) but it wouldn't be easy.
Now, I would LOVE to see everyone standardize on the 1900 Mhz band. I'd like the 700 MHz band even more, it penetrates buildings better, and is longer range, for better coverage.
This will frankly lead us to terrible coverage, because everyone's going to have to build out their own personal network that covers everyone, and roaming agreements are going to be impossible for data. Never going to happen. On the other hand, look at the HSPA+ situation:
T-Mobile USA HSPA:
850 MHz CLR - (Roaming agreement with AT&T)
1900 MHz PCS
1700/2100 MHz AWS - Being decommissioned in favor of PCS
AT&T HSPA:
850 MHz CLR
1900 MHz PCS
2 bands (once AWS is decommissioned) and you're done. And you need these anyway, since this is where your voice service is, even if you have an LTE phone.
Know what would really be ideal, both from the corporate side and the consumer side? This:
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I think that the start of all of this confusion was that there should have been a requirement by the FCC to mandate a single cellular technology and similar frequencies for all cellular carriers.
In theory, VOLTE (Voice Over LTE) should help resolve this discrepancy. We will have to wait to see what happens with the current and future technology. There is no short and simple solution and may take many years to fully integrate nationwide among all carriers.
no one can make a phone that even works on both T-Mobile and AT&T LTE, their implementations are too different.
The Nexus 5 and others work on both. I've used an ATT phone on TMo LTE with no issues. I believe the latest iPhones are compatible with both as well. Both TMo and ATT use AWS (UMTS Band 4) so there is no reason they shouldn't be compatible.
If a phone supports LTE on AWS and it doesn't work across carriers, it's a software issue (either on the phone's side or the carrier's side), not a hardware issue.
If Qualcomm is supporting these bands in their chips, why do you care? Is this rant about interoperability?
Its not like GSM/UMTS/HSDPA is going away any time soon. LTE literally just started and probably has another generation or two to actually be 'mature.'
VoLTE is going to start rolling out by years end. But we are years away from it being a voice standard.
The Nexus 5 and others work on both. I've used an ATT phone on TMo LTE with no issues. I believe the latest iPhones are compatible with both as well. Both TMo and ATT use AWS (UMTS Band 4) so there is no reason they shouldn't be compatible.
If a phone supports LTE on AWS and it doesn't work across carriers, it's a software issue (either on the phone's side or the carrier's side), not a hardware issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dontaskwhy
Gotta disagree with this. I believe it is a hardware and not a software issue. An OS hack/mod won't likely be of any help.
Exactly dontaskwhy.
Firstly only T-Mo and its MVNOs support the AWS band, so it won't work across carriers anyway.
I do think however that there are devices that physically support certain bands (i.e. chip and radio), but firmware (not software) implementation may prohibit the use of those bands.
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