Verizon plans to double down on LTE in 2012 and it’s keeping track of which platforms are ready for this LTE explosion and which ones are not. When speaking to CNET about its LTE network in 2012, the carrier singled out Windows Phone and criticized the platform for its lack of LTE support. The carrier even threatened to drop Windows Phone if it fails to come up to speed. Marni Walden, chief market officer of Verizon Wireless, told CNET, “We’ve communicated to Microsoft that LTE is critical to us. We need to see a timeline that makes sense if we want to continue to represent them.” Ouch.
Verizon also talked about Apple, but it was gentler with the iPhone maker than it was with Microsoft. According to the CNET report, Walden didn’t comment on the rumored LTE iPhone and talked about the success of the iPhone 4/4S instead. It’s an odd response that suggests either Verizon is reluctant to criticize Apple publicly, or the carrier knows more about the LTE iPhone than it cares to reveal.
It’s widely believed Apple will introduce an LTE handset in 2012. The Cupertino company skipped over the first generation LTE equipment because it was not refined enough for the iPhone. As many have pointed out, the current crop of LTE radios are bulky and drain a phone’s battery at an alarming rate. It’s been almost a year since the first LTE handsets were unveiled and chip manufacturers are undoubtedly refining this technology. Most analysts believe this second generation 4G hardware will pass Apple’s litmus test and land in the iPhone next year. If it doesn’t and Apple sticks with 3G, I wonder what Verizon’s response will be?
[Via CNET]