Hasta La Gadget!

If you’ve got Apple’s new LTE-capable iPhone 5, you’re going to need some LTE markets. Fortunately, Apple had a huge, global list of carriers that are going to work with Apple’s latest. In the US, AT&T, Sprint and Verizon will all support true 4G connectivity, while Canada’s Rogers, Telus and Bell will also get the hook-up. In Europe, the newly established EE and Deutsch Telekom will gain LTE, while in Asia, KDDI, Softbank, KT, SK Telecom and SmartTone will all be provided for.

Update: Apple’s detailed all the technical specs of its new radio in the US, but we’re looking at what’s arguably the first LTE world phone — unless there’s a second model to do the rounds in Asia and Europe. It’s the first device to run on the LTE networks of all the major carriers, although unfortunately there no AWS (1700MHz) HSPA+ for T-Mobile customers. Take a look at the more coverage link to get knee-deep in frequencies — there’s plenty of HSPA to go around.

Check out all the coverage at our iPhone 2012 event hub!

Continue reading Apple announces worldwide carriers for iPhone 5: Sprint, AT&T and Verizon will support LTE in the US (update: No AWS HSPA+ for T-Mobile)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Apple announces worldwide carriers for iPhone 5: Sprint, AT&T and Verizon will support LTE in the US (update: No AWS HSPA+ for T-Mobile) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 5 LTE connectivity is looking increasingly likely, hours ahead of the much-anticipated smartphone’s official debut, with claims of confirmation that the Apple device will run on new 4G network EE. Sources have supposedly verified to the Guardian that 4G infrastructure vendors have been testing iPhone 5 LTE handsets compatible with EE’s 1800MHz band 4G, and that Apple has apparently registered the new devices with the GSMA in filings yet to be made public.

The chatter comes as no great surprise, given the sway of the rumor-machine over the past months. LTE had long been anticipated for the new iPhone, particularly after the company included it in the new iPad, with Apple refusing to add it to the iPhone 4S over concerns about early radio chipset bulk and battery demands.

What’s been more uncertain, however, is which exact bands the iPhone’s LTE might be compatible with, a thorny issue of fragmentation given there are believed to be around 36 different frequencies in active 4G deployment around the world. No one iPhone could hope to cater to them all, meaning some countries (and operators) will be forced to do without 4G.

EE dropped a heavy hint at its launch yesterday that a new device was fast incoming with LTE support for the UK network, though declined to confirm that it was, indeed, the iPhone. Previous leaks indicated Apple would attempt to spread compatibility among networks worldwide, though failed to specify which they might be.

According to this latest insider, UK iPhone 5 testing by Huawei, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Ericsson has been underway “for some weeks both in labs and in public places.” In the US, the handset is expected to run on LTE networks operated by Verizon and AT&T, though we don’t yet know whether a single device will deliver that or if Apple will release two versions.

Join us at 10AM PT (1PM ET; 6PM UK) for all the news as it happens at live.slashgear.com!

iPhone 5 LTE support for EE 4G reportedly a done-deal is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung is aiming to hijack Apple’s new iPhone 5 launch by miring its rival in LTE patent litigation, sources at the company have apparently confirmed, echoing Apple’s attempts to injunction new Samsung phones. “Samsung Electronics has decided to take immediate legal action against the Cupertino-based Apple” an unnamed insider told The Korea Times. “Countries in Europe and even the United States – Apple’s home-turf – are our primary targets.”

The strategy, if enacted as the sources claim, would follow a path already established by Apple at the launch of the Galaxy S III earlier in 2013. Apple attempted to secure a US sales ban – as well as injunctions in other countries, including Samsung’s own South Korea home – as soon as the Galaxy S III launched, citing patent infringement.

That sales ban failed to materialize, though sales of some of Samsung’s range were affected in other countries as Apple’s legal team sniped down tablets and phones alike. This time around, it’s apparently Samsung’s turn to wield the patent portfolio.

Samsung will apparently use its strengths in LTE development to show the courts that Apple has infringed on 4G technologies, arguing that the FRAND defense Apple used in previous litigation around 3G patents won’t hold up again.

“Apple claimed the existing 3G-related patents are standard essential patents (SEPs) according to our earlier commitment to the FRAND (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) terms” an unnamed source told the Korean paper. “But the story is totally different when you talk about LTE patents. These are new and highly-valued.”

Apple has apparently already feathered its LTE patent nest, buying or filing 434 4G patents so as to fend off any attacks from Samsung or others. That’s gotten off to a shaky start, however; attempts to have HTC LTE patents invalidated faced stronger than expected push-back from the US judiciary.

Assuming no challenges to sales are permitted, Apple is expected to sell as many as 10m iPhone 5 handsets in September 2012 alone.

Samsung to booby-trap iPhone 5 launch with LTE patent strike is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

New UK combo-carrier EE will be the only carrier in the UK to offer the Nokia Lumia 920, it’s been confirmed, with the Windows Phone 8 smartphone offering LTE connectivity. Pricing for the flagship Lumia has not been announced, nor availability, though EE says it intends to begin 4G operations in four cities from today.

The actual commercial launch will come a little later however; the first LTE light-up is really for engineers from the carrier to test things out and make sure the 4G system is running smoothly. Today is the first day EE has been legally allowed to operate an LTE network, according to UK regulator approval.

The Lumia 920 will be accompanied by the Lumia 820, though that won’t apparently be an exclusive with EE. Also uncertain – though likely – is whether EE will be offering the Lumia 920 via the two 3G carriers it includes, T-Mobile and Orange, though since the new network’s 4G service isn’t expected to go live in sixteen cities until the end of the year, we can’t see either EE or Nokia being keen to limit sales of the smartphone.

EE is yet to announce pricing for the phone, or indeed for any of its LTE service packages, though there won’t be a prepay option for 4G data. More on EE – including speedtests – here.

Nokia Lumia 920 is EE UK LTE exclusive is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

EarthLink has been laying low since its Philly-wide WiFi project failed all those years ago, but now it’s back in the limelight with Clearwire’s 4G network under-arm. The companies have struck a deal for EarthLink to access Clearwire’s WiMAX infrastructure, initially to offer wireless, in-home broadband. This is expected to launch in early 2013, with mobile and small business markets being future goals. An LTE network is also in the pipeline, don’t forget, and when it goes live, EarthLink is likely to expand the agreement to cover it. The ISP is obviously putting its eggs in the 4G basket, because no one wants wires anymore, do they?

Continue reading EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network

Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Internet, Mobile

EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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