Verizon to Make 3G Look Slow with First 4G Phone in 2011

By Nick Mokey March 11, 2010

Just when you thought you had finally caught up to the rest of the world by upgrading to a 3G phone, 4G is barreling towards us faster than anticipated. On Thursday, Verizon revealed that it would introduce its first 4G handsets sometime around the summer of 2011, six months earlier than it had previously expected.

Verizon CTO Anthony Melone told the Wall Street Journal that 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) service on Verizon’s networks could roll out in some areas by the end of the year, with actual handsets that make use of it to follow shortly in 2011.

While both Sprint and Clear already offer 4G data plans using competing WiMax technology in the United States, the service is only currently usable with wireless modems. Neither offers a phone to take advantage of the next-generation network. Sprint claims it will be the first to do so when it rolls out its very first 4G handset this summer.

In the past, Verizon has hinted that its LTE network should provide speeds somewhere between 5 and 12 Mbps. That’s a significant leap from the 1 to 3 Mbps most users experience with existing 3G networks, but it could come with strings attached. Melone claims the days of unlimited, unmetered data plans are numbered, meaning the first LTE data plans could come with tiered pricing to reflect how much data users consume.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Mobile

New leaks offer the best look at Google’s Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G) phones

Google Pixel 5 render leak

Earlier this week, alongside launching the Pixel 4a, Google teased a pair of upcoming phones: The Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 it plans to launch later in the fall. Now, a series of leaks have revealed just about every detail you need to know about these devices.

A report by Steve Hemmestoffer (@OnLeaks), who has a reliable track record, offers the best look (in collaboration with Indian outlets, 91Mobiles and Pricebaba) at the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 through a bunch of high-resolution renders. Both the phones share a similar, minimalistic design that can be found on the recently announced Pixel 4a as well. There’s a nearly edge-to-edge screen on the front with a tiny cutout for the selfie camera and a square-ish camera housing on the back.

Mobile

Verizon says 5G won’t be that much better than 4G — at first

Verizon 5G Super Bowl

Even though people have been talking about 5G’s potential for years, Verizon says 5G converts shouldn’t expect more than a small bump in performance from its network, at least at first.

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg said during a J.P Morgan investors webcast on Tuesday, May 12, that early adopters would see “some improvements. Over time, dramatic improvements.”

News

Verizon is adding 20 5G-capable phones to its 2020 lineup

This story is part of our continuing coverage of CES 2020, including tech and gadgets from the showroom floor.

5G is about to take over in 2020, and Verizon is preparing by releasing 20 5G capable devices this year.