Verizon Wireless systems undergoing upgrade to allow 4G devices?

By on Jul 14, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Exclusive July 14, 2010

VZW 4G System UPgrade

According to a new tipster of ours, yes. Apparently emails have been sent to some higher-up employees at Verizon detailing a systems upgrade. The purpose of the upgrade, you ask? Apparently to make it possible to provision and activate 4G devices. A direct quote from the email looks like this: “The ESN/MEID field will be changed to Device ID effective Sunday to prepare for 4G devices coming on.” This could mean a little quicker deployment of Verizon’s upcoming LTE network, but it’s entirely possible they are just getting their ducks in a row. You know, so you can start ruling the air.

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  • Anthony

    first

    • mangenius

      retard

      • Donna

        Wow why don’t you just fuck off, who cares if he is first, your the retard for being so bothered about what he says in HIS COMMENT

      • copycat

        Wow why don’t you just fuck off,who cares if he called him a retard, your the retard for being so bothered about what he says in HIS COMMENT

        See what I just did there.

    • mangenius

      yo retard take note how easy it is to get ranked up. Just insult the idiot who says FIRST!!

      • Bard

        I down ranked both comments

    • Chut Pata

      Congratulations on being first. You have won an iPhone-4G (Don’t believe the VZW guys when they say there is no such thing as iPhone 4G). Send your email address to Boy Genius and he will email you the iPhone-4G.

    • Mike

      That took tremendous skill and dedication. I applaud your effort and your contribution to this community.

      Thank you, sir!

  • Thablackguy

    I hope the Droid X will be able to handle 4G speeds… Correction… It BETTER be able to handle 4G speeds !

    • QuickWeevil

      It won’t. It’s CDMA so it’s speed is limited to the EVDO Rev. A… LTE is a completely different technology and the chipset in the X won’t support it.

      • ofcmad

        That being said….how will the 4g phones operate outside of the LTE networks? Will it be a dual chipset to handle the CDMA network too? *I apologize for my ignorance ahead of time.

      • QuickWeevil

        That would be my guess. They will have chipsets to handle LTE, EVDO, and 1X. LTE and EVDO are for data and 1X is for voice. Eventually, Verizon’s LTE rollout will cover their network completely in which case everything will be covered by LTE including voice.

      • PandaBarr

        Which will lead into a completely digital network where VoIP takes over the voice portion of it. Remember the Analog sundown anyone?

      • John Thacker

        The LTE spec has a lot in there about backwards compatibility with CDMA2000 networks (putting it in there was part of the price of getting worldwide CDMA vendors to abandoned UMB as a proposed 4G evolution).

        They will definitely operate in CDMA2000 mode outside the LTE areas.

      • T

        Yes. Everything is going to need a new chip/radio for LTE. It’s a totally new tech on totally new frequencies.

      • Thablackguy

        Dammit !! why are my upgrade years right before some amazingness comes around… :-(

      • borzou

        just wait. you don’t HAVE to upgrade right now. the new phones’ll be out by christmas

      • Thablackguy

        oh yeah i do !!! i have a freaking Storm 1 !!! not kul at all…

      • Chut Pata

        Extra line costs just $10. So get a new line every 4 months. After 20 months, you 1st phone will be eligible for upgrade. An upgrade every 4 month! How about that? LOL.

      • Thablackguy

        i would but unfortunately we already have 5 lines on our fam plan…

    • PandaBarr

      It wont. It’s still “just” a 3G phone so it’ll peak out on EVDO RevA speeds at around 2.4Mbps. But anyone upgrading within the next few months will have another in line available next year when 4G will *hopefully* be available.

      • Brad

        Next year? Hopefully? Verizon has already announced that the first 4G handsets will be released on Black Friday. It’s coming much sooner than you think.

      • John Thacker

        Actually, a tipster leaked to BGR that Verizon would release “a slew of devices” on Black Friday, and BGR assumed that that meant handsets and put that in the headline. We don’t know 100% if the rumor is true, though it seems plausible, and that “slew of devices” could be just modems, hotspots, and netbooks on LTE data plans.

        When Verizon actually announces something, there will be big press releases and stories everywhere, not an “Exclusive” at BGR, no offense. The only thing that Verizon has publicly said so far is that LTE is launching before the end of the year, and handsets will be available by mid 2011.

  • Jerry

    waiting for droid 2…….droid X is waaaay too big for me

    • Lunchbox

      That’s what she said.

      Go ahead and vote me down, I know it’s coming. I just couldn’t let that one slide.

      • tk-093

        I never vote somebody down for a well placed “That’s what she said.” It never gets old!

    • Mike

      Have you even held or seen an X in person?

  • Dream

    Could this be why the new Fascinate was not on the summer leak sheet, maybe the new Sammy is 4g capable???

    • Chut Pata

      I hope so, because right now the American carriers are launching a scaled down version of the Galaxy S. No front camera for teleconferencing, no infra-red for TV remote, no nothing.

      • Dream

        Yea and the Fact that this one only gets 2GB of Mem, Good thing i use my itouch as my mass media storage device.

  • ofcmad

    I know that Verizon was down in the Gainesville, GA area about a month ago from 2 am to 6 am on a Sunday night. I spoke with an employee with Verizon. They confirmed that their system was going 4G by the fall (they were “flipping switches” and that is why the system was down). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that if they are going to 4G; 4G devices will be ruling the air by the end of the year.

    • John Thacker

      “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that if they are going to 4G; 4G devices will be ruling the air by the end of the year.”

      The BGR story from before said “a slew of devices” would be coming. But does that mean 4G handsets will be common by then? To me, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that in the vast majority of cellular network transitions recently modems, mobile hotspots, and netbooks have preceded handsets capable of operating on the new standard.

      Look at how long Sprint had a WiMAX network with data modems before they released the Evo 4G.

      • thedogscar

        It is true what you say about Sprints WiMax role-out … ‘BUT’ Sprints WiMax is a third tier Carrier, in the U.S. only … where LTE is Global.

        I bet the number of potential LTE phone users worldwide, is 1000 times that of Wimax … and most Phone Makers have one already in Beta … IMHO

      • defpoey

        Actually Russia Korea and others use wimax idiot

      • Chut Pata

        duh is a “wimax idiot”? Is like “An idiot who spells WiMax as wimax”?

      • John Thacker

        WiMAX (both in 802.16d OFDM and 802.16e OFDMA flavors) has far more actual installations and use worldwide than LTE right now. LTE is in beta everywhere, but WiMAX is actually providing people with Internet connections around the globe, particularly in areas that don’t have the copper or fiber optic coverage than the US does.

        You’re correct that most telephony companies are going with LTE. LTE is a telephony-designed standard, so it has a lot more built into it about how to carry phone calls with good QoS, how to bill people, how to bill people for usage, how to authenticate to make sure that you’ve paid your bill so you can get service, etc. All that is in the standard. The current revision of LTE isn’t all-IP either, containing lots of backwards compatibility with older cellular standards. (LTE Advanced will be more all-IP, though.)

        WiMAX is generally used for last mile service, as a “WiFi with longer range,” but also used for backhaul. WiMAX, like WiFi, is an IEEE standard and concentrates much more on just getting people hooked up to the Internet. The security and the billing stuff is mostly just bolted on instead of being an integral part of the standard. All that makes it a little strange for a cellular company to use, but Sprint had various reasons that forced its hand, such as wanting to launch something first.

        In general, I prefer the IEEE model. The cellular companies want the system that makes it easiest for them to lock you into paying for tiered data. You’re right that the number of potential phone users in the traditional cellular provider model is much larger for LTE, but I look forward to a future of commodity Internet connections, of free VoIP calls over IEEE standards like WiFi and WiMAX, not just the walled garden of cellular providers.

      • Aberlour

        Everybody complains about paying for premium service. However, premium service and innovation requires large amounts of capital. Witness the low cost leaders in wireless. They are unable to innovate, expand and improve. To see the consequences of being unable to convince people to pay more money for your product just look to The number 3 carrier. Unable to build out a 4G network on their own they needed 3rd party investment and wound up being a minority partner/MVNO with Clear. They still haven’t stopped the customer losses.

      • Verizon Guy

        Verizon will probably follow the same rollout model, because the big need with LTE right now is data. That means modems, mobile hotspots, and netbooks/notebooks with built-in 4G radios. The first LTE handsets will probably do voice via 1x (or perhaps some IP voice over Rev A scenario.) I don’t know if carriers have even agreed to a standard for VoIP on LTE–there are 2 or 3 different proposals out there, and they need to find some common ground before you’ll be able to roam around the world seamlessly on an all-LTE handset.

  • Kigs

    so wheres my iphone?

    • webby

      Over on the crap network with duct tape on it and a fire extinguisher handy, LOL.

    • Brad

      Well, the current rumor has the iPhone debuting on Verizon in November. Seeing as how Verizon plans on releasing 4G handsets on Black Friday, I smell a 4G iPhone.

      • MicroNix

        Apple can’t even get a phone right on 3G, how the f*** are they going to do a LTE model this year? 2012 will be the year their contract is up with AT&T so rumor all you want, ain’t gonna happen.

  • StevenGlansburg

    Awesome. I get my DX tomorrow and a year from now I could upgrade to something with 4G allowing time for 4G to be more completed deployed and all of the beta 4G devices to be done with (cough cough Evo cough)…..

    • MSF

      Yep. I was thinking the same.

      ———————–
      When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape!

      • Chut Pata

        Right on! My VZW phone went down immediately after its warranty i.e. one year. I paid extra and got a refurbished one. That went down after its warranty i.e. 3 months. I now use scotch tape instead of upgrading the phone. For DX duct tape might be needed :)

  • Steve

    It was sent to all VZW employees

  • jk

    I’m almost afraid to ask how much Big Red will charge for 4G.

    • Chut Pata

      Probably a little more than sprint, twice T-Mobile, and four times Metro PCS.

    • ckeegan

      I actually don’t think they’ll have an add-on cost like Sprint, as Verizon will likely change all their data plans to a tiered system. I honestly prefer the idea of tiered data, because I certainly don’t use anywhere near as much data as other people, but I’m still paying into the same unlimited plan.

  • ArT

    What areas will have 4g first? Anyone know? I’ve been debating about getting the X or waiting yet another couple of months to get a 4g phone.

    • ckeegan

      If you’re considering getting the X, I would do it. I’m not getting the X, but I will likely pick up a Droid 2. The number of 4G handsets will likely be low for the next 10-12 months, at which time you’ll be eligible for Annual Upgrade.

  • sean76

    Still getting the x, still got the EVO…because it Is a sick phone…and I’ll drop some lute on whatever is HOT when 4G drops for VZW….tru players play, while wanna be bitch playa’s just whine. Technology is evolving at a fast pace…it is what it is. Can hear all the bitchin now…my Droid doesn’t have 4G…waaa waaa.

  • James

    This doesn’t matter until a 4G device is announced.

    • Kigs

      Iphone 4….G

      • Chut Pata

        … will be recalled due to antenna problems, among others.

      • MicroNix

        And why would Verizon want to tarnish their solid voice reputation with an iPhone? Think about it. Apple is at Verizon’s MERCY right now. Verizon could easy knock Apple down a few notches and not carry a potential liability.

  • peter b

    Yeah this got sent to anyone who uses the EROES activation system.

    I find it funny people think anything you have heard of yet will be 4g ready.

    They didnt even have a standard of voice over LTE until very recently. The only stuff you will see for a while will be USB and WIFI modems.

    • QuickWeevil

      Voice won’t be over LTE for a long time. It’ll be set-up exactly like the network is now with data over EVDO and voice over 1X. I agree that no phones have been leaked yet that will be 4G capable but its definitely not a stretch to think that Verizon will have an LTE phone when the network goes live.

      • Berry

        Storm 3 will be LTE

      • Son

        What would be the point of putting a blackberry on a faster internet?? The BB servers SUCK. Internet is slow, BB’s can’t even handle current network speeds.

      • Berry

        then buy an iphone 4, and you wouldn’t be able to make a call or get some of the Adndroid phones that you’d have to carry a couple of spare batteries; you have choices!

    • Creamy Tuna Casserole

      Actually, this got sent to EVERYONE.

      P.S. – I don’t use EROES.

  • dad

    Verizon right on track.

  • Dave

    People arent ready for thye 4G network yet let alone devices. VZW will get it right and then get out the devices, they dont want a flop device like the EVO with partial 4G speeds…. sometimes… when it wants too…. and the battery doesnt die. Just wait 4G for VZW will be great, and I’ll pay whatever they ask to use it.

    • Creamy Tuna Casserole

      LMAO! You honestly think LTE will be any less of a drain on a battery than Wimax would? If anything, with faster upload/download speeds, it would be reasonable to expect nothing more than equal battery life, and possibly worse.

  • LCW

    question is if VZW implementation on LTE will utilise SIMs… they like to lock down and control their handsets and be completely in control of forced OTA updates… wonder if they’ll mandate SIM-less LTE handsets… if that’s even possible… if it is, I bet vzw opts for SIM-less…

    • T

      They’re using SIM cards… old news there.

    • tk-093

      Way old news, first time on the internets? :)

    • John Thacker

      The lack of SIM cards with Verizon has everything to do with no SIM cards in the CDMA2000 (and CDMAOne) standards (and SIM cards being a mandatory part of all GSM standards.)

      Heck, if you buy one of Verizon’s “Global-ready” Blackberries right now, you get a SIM card for use in GSM territories.

    • Brad

      Forced OTA updates? Since when has Verizon forced an OTA update on anything? If there is a forced update, it’s from the OS vendor, not from Verizon, but none of the OTA updates for their Android phones were mandatory. Not sure about the WebOS devices. The bigger question is, why WOULDN’T you want an OTA update? Also, Verizon hasn’t locked down ANY smartphone for quite a while now. Their Android phones have been completely open from the start. Right now the only one butchering Android phones is AT&T.

    • Verizon Guy

      No, VZW will be using SIMs or microSIMs.

  • QuickWeevil

    @LCW
    LTE is SIM-based. Verizon doesn’t care how much you switch your phone. I doubt they’ll worry about you swapping SIMs.

  • joe

    vzw reps confirmed NO handsets you buy BEFORE LTE handsets come to the US market will work..thats why I’m waiting…

  • verizonbaby

    time to take the pamper off and start SH*TTING on AT&T….#thatisall

  • http://itsalltech.com Andrew

    “You know, so you can start ruling the air.”

    Haha, I love that part.

  • mike

    wow, calling someone retarded because you disagree with them. how very 4th grade of you.

  • http://alghienkad06.student.ipb.ac.id thea

    cool

  • http://buku.um.ac.id fajar

    kereeenn

  • Losman

    I just got off the phone with Verizon Tech Support re: the Fascinate and learned that this phone and all the other Android phones Verizon has out there are NOT 4G compatible. So even though Verizon according to their own press leases which has rolled out their 4G network in 30 cities, have no phones that will work on their 4G network. In the past when Verizon rolled out a new network your phone would be able to utilize the faster network and switch over…that’s not the case with this phone or network. There must be something about this new 4G network that prevents current/even new phones from being 4G compatible. I personally don’t see a reason to sign up for a two year contract with Verizon or even get this phone if you want a phone running on a fast network i.e. 4G

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