Verizon Wireless CTO Tony Melone has confirmed new key details in the carrier’s plans for the launch of its new LTE network scheduled for launch late next year.
The LTE network will now function as an overlay to the existing native CDMA network, right down to the use of many existing cellsites and backhaul equipment. In a related statement, Melone reiterated that there will not be a forced migration to LTE while confirming that the CDMA network will continue in full operation, with new devices needed for LTE network use.
Melone also attempted to stamp rumors that the network rollout was falling behind schedule while reiterating its commitment to launch in 2010 in 25 to 30 markets. The carrier is seeking to cover 100 million points of presence in 2010 with further deployment of the network over the next 2-3 years.
Good news about Verizon, thanks.
Oh please. Sprint is so far ahead of VZ when it comes to the future and data speed along with deployment. The only thing VZ has better than Sprint is a marketing department.
4G is a bandwidth hog. You need lots of 4G capable spectrum to scale. Sprint/Clearwire controls more 4G spectrum than AT&T and Verizon combined! On a per market average, Sprint has 3-5X more spectrum than either ATT or Verizon