Long Term Evolution - Verizon's Goal?
Verizon is gearing up to launch its next wireless network technology, called Long Term Evolution (LTE), by the end of this year. While Verizon will, of course, still sell phones for this fourth generation (4G) network, it is also pushing to have it built into many other types of devices.
LTE will run on the spectrum formerly used to send television signals, which Verizon licensed from the U.S. government in 2008. The company expects to be able to support about 100 million users by the end of the year. But the saturation of the cell-phone market means that Verizon is also hoping to see the wireless technology used for many other kinds of devices. "We want to get to 500 to 600 percent penetration," says executive vice president and CTO Richard Lynch. This would mean an average of five or six wireless devices per person.
LTE promises better speed and lower latency than existing networks. Lynch says that users can expect uniform, reliable performance at five to 12 megabits per second! He expects data to travel round-trip in 25 to 30 milliseconds, a fifth of the latency on the current network.
Lynch envisions people using Verizon's 4G wireless network for cars, computers, TVs, and other home appliances, as well as regular cell phones. Among other devices, the company has tested wall sockets and power strips that include 4G wireless capabilities. This could enable new forms of home-monitoring and energy management.
One potential problem is that not all of these devices will be under Verizon's control. When the company purchased the 700-megahertz spectrum, it had to agree to open its network to devices made by other companies. These devices must still be tested and certified to ensure they run safely on the network, but third-party developers will have much more latitude.
So will a new battle emerge soon in this fast developing sector? Only Time will tell..
LTE will run on the spectrum formerly used to send television signals, which Verizon licensed from the U.S. government in 2008. The company expects to be able to support about 100 million users by the end of the year. But the saturation of the cell-phone market means that Verizon is also hoping to see the wireless technology used for many other kinds of devices. "We want to get to 500 to 600 percent penetration," says executive vice president and CTO Richard Lynch. This would mean an average of five or six wireless devices per person.
LTE promises better speed and lower latency than existing networks. Lynch says that users can expect uniform, reliable performance at five to 12 megabits per second! He expects data to travel round-trip in 25 to 30 milliseconds, a fifth of the latency on the current network.
Lynch envisions people using Verizon's 4G wireless network for cars, computers, TVs, and other home appliances, as well as regular cell phones. Among other devices, the company has tested wall sockets and power strips that include 4G wireless capabilities. This could enable new forms of home-monitoring and energy management.
One potential problem is that not all of these devices will be under Verizon's control. When the company purchased the 700-megahertz spectrum, it had to agree to open its network to devices made by other companies. These devices must still be tested and certified to ensure they run safely on the network, but third-party developers will have much more latitude.
So will a new battle emerge soon in this fast developing sector? Only Time will tell..
