iPhone 5 models - which for telecom LTE compat?

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Networkn
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#686821 16-Sep-2012 20:20

sbiddle: Why are you all interested in the Telecom LTE launch? Vodafone will have a live network well before Telecom.

Do you have additional information available around that? Something to confirm?

code15

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#686824 16-Sep-2012 20:25

drquack32: It doesn't really explain why they need 3 versions unless I missed the obvious.

The 1429 is what I want and because I do travel

This article explained it well: http://www.imore.com/iphone-5-splits-two-models-one-us-gsmlte-another-cdmalte-and-everybody-else

Basically, it wasn't possible to fit all 7 LTE bands that apple wanted to support into one device, so they separated the US/Canada GSM iPhone into a separate phone - A1428 (LTE bands 4 and 17).

The A1429 comes in two varieties, GSM and CDMA (although the CDMA model appears to be a complete superset of all frequencies of the GSM model).

The two additional bands that the CDMA model support (13 and 25) are only used by Verizon and Sprint in the US.

So the 'international' GSM model only supports bands 1, 3, and 5 because it's not possible to use the phone with Verzion or Sprint networks (these companies do not use a sim card, and can only be activated on CDMA if you purchase the phone through Sprint or Verizon.

It makes me think the A1429 GSM and CDMA models are actually identical hardware wise (similar to the 4S).

A GSM purchased 4S can never be activated on CDMA, as it was not purchased through a CDMA carrier. So this time, Apple have marketed the GSM A1429 iPhone 5 without CDMA capability because it can never be utilised.

Edit: I'm now 95% percent certain that the GSM A1429 and CDMA A1429 are identical hardware wise. The GSM version removes CDMA references (including the two LTE bands the CDMA operators use), as you would not ever utilise the CDMA part of a GSM A1429 phone.

Edit 2: So to answer drquack32's question, there are two models because it wasn't possible to accommodate all LTE bands into one phone. Buy the GSM A1429 when it releases here, don't feel like you're missing out on those two extra LTE bands because no GSM carrier currently supports them anyway. I would imagine that if a GSM carrier started using bands 13 and 25, the GSM A1429 would be compatible, provided Apple haven't blocked the bands for use on GSM.

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#686839 16-Sep-2012 21:01

Thank you sir

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newbellies

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#686844 16-Sep-2012 21:08

code15:
drquack32: It doesn't really explain why they need 3 versions unless I missed the obvious.

The 1429 is what I want and because I do travel

This article explained it well: http://www.imore.com/iphone-5-splits-two-models-one-us-gsmlte-another-cdmalte-and-everybody-else

Thanks for this link - really interesting read.

sbiddle

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#686908 17-Sep-2012 06:09

networkn:
sbiddle: Why are you all interested in the Telecom LTE launch? Vodafone will have a live network well before Telecom.

Do you have additional information available around that? Something to confirm?

Lots of information, but since I don't work for Vodafone there is nothing for me to confirm.

Vodafone's plans are well known in the industry, and so is their choice of solution - it is a far superior one than what Alcatel Lucent have on offer.

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#686919 17-Sep-2012 07:20

networkn:
sbiddle: Why are you all interested in the Telecom LTE launch? Vodafone will have a live network well before Telecom.

Do you have additional information available around that? Something to confirm?

You have to learn that some people around here will give bits of information without wanting to burn the source of knowledge. So sit back and absorb it. This is the way of the force.

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#686959 17-Sep-2012 09:37

freitasm:
networkn:
sbiddle: Why are you all interested in the Telecom LTE launch? Vodafone will have a live network well before Telecom.

Do you have additional information available around that? Something to confirm?

You have to learn that some people around here will give bits of information without wanting to burn the source of knowledge. So sit back and absorb it. This is the way of the force.

Yup I do understand that, but it was not clear from his post if the information was privileged, or perhaps just not widely known.

eXDee

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#687073 17-Sep-2012 12:35

What are Vodafones plans? I am keen to hear what alcatel lucent is offering too and why one is better than the other.

sbiddle

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#687094 17-Sep-2012 13:09

eXDee: What are Vodafones plans? I am keen to hear what alcatel lucent is offering too and why one is better than the other.

The best approach is to simply read up on the offerings from the different vendors.

eXDee

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#687269 17-Sep-2012 18:01

sbiddle:
eXDee: What are Vodafones plans? I am keen to hear what alcatel lucent is offering too and why one is better than the other.

The best approach is to simply read up on the offerings from the different vendors.

Ah okay, i was wondering if there was a hint of what we might expect to see rather than looking for inside information.

HotDogBreath

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#687282 17-Sep-2012 18:34

What about current coverage vs. Speed?

Vodafone seem to only offer 3G speeds in major centers (correct me if I'm wrong here) so is the LTE roll out also going to be limited to the same coverage?

Conversly, Telecom offers 3G nationwide. Will their LTE roll out be nation wide?

For me, speed and coverage will be my driving factor for the LTE roll out.

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#687286 17-Sep-2012 18:41

HotDogBreath: Vodafone seem to only offer 3G speeds in major centers (correct me if I'm wrong here) so is the LTE roll out also going to be limited to the same coverage?

Vodafone offers 3G coverage with 2100 MHz in main centres and 900 MHz elsewhere, with a current push to deploy 900 MHz in main cities as well.

HotDogBreath: Conversly, Telecom offers 3G nationwide. Will their LTE roll out be nation wide?

Vodafone have pretty much the same coverage area as Telecom (not *the same* areas but same extension).

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#687406 17-Sep-2012 20:45

HotDogBreath: Vodafone seem to only offer 3G speeds in major centers (correct me if I'm wrong here) so is the LTE roll out also going to be limited to the same coverage?

Vodafone have offered nationwide 3G coverage for around 4 years now. There are also plenty of areas that have 3G coverage that don't have GSM coverage.

One would expect LTE coverage to be limited initially from all carriers, since the 1800MHz spectrum they have at present is fine for urban areas, but not necessarily ideal for rural areas. Since the 700MHz spectrum isn't going to be auctioned off until later this year, and right now not a single hardware vendor is delivering LTE gear for this band, and no device manufacturer building devices then we're probably a good 2 years away from seeing this band in use.

profrink

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#690305 23-Sep-2012 21:38

Just an update, the CDMA versions (well the "Verizon models") have been confirmed that the GSM component is unlocked and working with AT&T.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1449522

old3eyes

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#690386 24-Sep-2012 08:44

profrink: Just an update, the CDMA versions (well the "Verizon models") have been confirmed that the GSM component is unlocked and working with AT&T.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1449522

Wonder how that got past Verizon's control freaks in marketing.

Regards,

Old3eyes

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