Hasta La Gadget!

LTE continues to expand throughout the United States and in many countries around the world, but the UK is still waiting on Ofcom to give the go-ahead on the necessary spectrum auction to support the technology. The communications watchdog has this morning announced that the spectrum bidding will be pushed back slightly, from the end of this year to “early 2013.” The delay in the spectrum auction ultimately means consumers will be waiting even longer for LTE to hit the UK.

Ofcom says that carriers can begin submitting their applications, but the actual spectrum auction won’t take place until early next year. UK carriers will be bidding on two bands, 800Mhz and 2.6Ghz, although Everything Everywhere is hoping to leverage its existing 1800Mhz spectrum and push out a limited LTE service before the end of the year. Still, spectrum is a limited resource, and Everything Everywhere’s 1800Mhz band isn’t the most desirable for a wide spread and speedy service.

In addition, Ofcom says that a set of spectrum will be set aside for a fourth wholesaler or carrier to prevent the big three in the UK from dominating the market. The organization briefly mentions Hutchinson 3G, who have been vocal in the past regarding Ofcom’s plans. Once everything is auctioned off, carriers will be held to an obligation that means any mobile broadband offered on the 800Mhz band should be available to 98% of the UK by 2017, with the crucial point being that reception is available indoors. The 800Mhz band is best suited for that purpose, while the 2.6Ghz band will open up faster speeds.

[via The Next Web]

Ofcom delays UK LTE spectrum auction to “early 2013″ is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Having launched an all-out blitz on the high-end of US smartphones, Samsung must be eager to conquer the mid-range as well. A Verizon rebate list finding its way to Droid-Life has the previously unknown Galaxy Stellar showing up amongst the carrier’s more budget-minded smartphones for a $50 discount sometime between now and an August 19th expiry date. There’s little we can definitively attach to that starry-eyed name so far, although we have our hunches: first and foremost is that it’s the Jasper, the Snapdragon S4-touting spiritual successor to the Droid Charge. It might alternately be the even more mysterious SCH-i415, which just showed up at the FCC this weekend and could be a world-roaming sequel to the Stratosphere (SCH-i405) with CDMA, LTE and GSM all rolled into one. Whether the Galaxy Stellar is one of these two devices or something entirely off of the map, there’s a strong indication between this, Sprint’s mystery SPH-L300 and the slightly more tangible Galaxy Reverb that Samsung will leave no CDMA corner unturned in the near future.

Filed under: Cellphones

Samsung Galaxy Stellar pops up in Verizon docs, might light up our skies soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It appears very much like LG will be bringing their rectangular 5-inch display-having Android device known as the Optimus Vu to Verizon this summer if a leaked photo is to be believed. This photo (seen in the gallery below) comes via Android Police who note that this device will likely take the place of the Galaxy Note that’s now headed to T-Mobile instead. This continues a legacy of LG devices adopting Verizon’s 4G LTE network with their own custom software stylings on Android devices.

The LG Optimus Vu is a so-called “phablet” device made to contend directly with the Samsung Galaxy Note. This device has a 5-inch display that has a 3:4 ratio and a rather squared-off look to it. This device also has a capacitive pen device that goes with it, though it does remain unclear whether or not it will be included with the final product. Inside we’ve seen this device run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the back has an 8 megapixel camera, and the battery that runs the whole show is 2,080 mAh strong.

Again this device is not confirmed for Verizon, but what the photo above is telling us is that it’s not long for the spotlight. This device will likely be followed up on by Samsung with the Galaxy Note 2 which we’ve heard little to nothing about thus far, while LG has thus far only been tipped for Verizon here in the states for the Vu. Have a peek at our Optimus Vu timeline below to learn more, or go to our full Optimus Vu hands-on from CITA 2012 or MWC 2012 to see more up-close action!

Bonus: remember we also saw an FCC tip earlier this year that the Optimus Vu would be coming with 4G LTE – Verizon’s brand of it – later this year as well. Soon it will be upon us!

[via Android Community]

LG Optimus Vu spotted with Verizon markings is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sprint’s decision to take its LTE live in Kansas City marked a short prelude to a full orchestral performance — the carrier’s upgraded 4G network is now official. Kansas City and St. Joseph in Kansas and Missouri, as well as 13 urban areas in Georgia and Texas, are taking the leap past WiMAX speeds as of today. Senior network VP Bob Azzi has warned the Kansas City Star that the current LTE access is still mostly for use outside until it expands to the 3G network’s range, although he adds that there will be a coverage map available from July 16th onwards to let EVO 4G LTE, Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S III owners know when their phones reach full potential. Just remember that the real party starts in 2013, when Sprint hopes to both flick on voice over LTE and ramp up to extra-speedy LTE-Advanced.

[Thanks, Alex]

Update: As locals in the comments have helpfully reminded us, St. Joseph is in Missouri and just sits along the border with Kansas — you know what they say about horseshoes, hand grenades and being close enough.

Continue reading PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true (update: includes Missouri)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true (update: includes Missouri) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A few weeks back, Sprint had said its fresh Long Term Evolution waves would be hitting a total of five markets by July 15th, but it looks like one lucky city is seeing the changes kick in a wee bit earlier than expected. According to S4GRU, the site’s been hit with endless tips from folks like yourself, all claiming The Now Network’s LTE signal is now live in Kansas City, while others are also noticing the speed boosts in places like St. Joseph, Manhattan and Missouri. How about you, though? Is your shiny new LTE-capable slab (read: Galaxy S III or EVO 4G LTE) now getting the “true 4G” treatment? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Sprint flips the switch on LTE in Kansas City, your Galaxy S III just got a whole lot better originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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