Verizon Wireless put out a video this week featuring average Joe reactions to the download speeds of its LTE trial network in Boston, as well as Dick Lynch waxing futuristic about all manner of LTE connected devices:
It’s hardly a marketing blitz — the video is running only on its Web site and YouTube, but it is one of the Verizon’s first efforts to present the forthcoming 4G service to the public. Verizon tends to be a pretty closed-mouth organization, preferring to make a big splash when it launches a new technology, service or device rather than build up to it. The LTE network isn’t supposed to go live until the fourth quarter. But given Verizon’s recent vocalness about LTE — CEO Lowell McAdam is even talking up 4G plans to The Wall Street Journal — it might be contemplating an early commercial trial in Boston and perhaps even its other trial market of Seattle.
Connected Planet’s Take,
Kevin Fitchard:
It’s complete speculation on our part, but Verizon has been known to do this type of thing in the past. You might recall that back in the day of 3G, Verizon rolled out its first EV-DO networks in two markets, San Diego and Washington, D.C., in what became long-running commercial trials before it filled in its nationwide footprint. Like the introduction of 3G, the launch of 4G will spell a major new service for Verizon and might follow the same pattern.
Verizon is also a fierce competitor and might be looking for whatever advantage it can against Clearwire and Sprint, even if it is a few markets. Clearwire plans to rollout its WiMax service in Boston toward the end of the year, and Verizon could easily beat them to that market if its network there is ready and the devices are available. Clearwire and Sprint are already in Seattle, but VZW could be welcoming a preview skirmish in what will most definitely be a heated battle for 4G supremacy.
That’s our take on this. Let us know what you think in the comments section below:
Its good there showing they have wireless cards that work but I hope phone service will come shortly after. I don’t knowingly use the data side of my phone except to update my contacts.
I’ll have to keep some more track and see if these devices are lte/3g device modems and go to Boston and buy one .
Would also be interesting to see if Clearwire decided to speed up Boston Wimax rollout to try and get out ahead of Verizon. Would be smart in my opinion to do so, to try and give themselves an advantage. Though I suppose unless Verizon puts no caps on LTE data, that might still be enough of a difference for most people to choose one over another as long as pricing is not drastically different.