Verizon Wireless:
At the end of June, Verizon’s LTE network reached 500 markets, and 298m POPs, which means it is ‘substantially complete’ in terms of coverage. That will enable the carrier to start introducing LTE-only devices for certain applications, and to kick off VoLTE next year. The next priorities will be expanding capacity, using a combination of techniques. The carrier has outlined a five-point plan for this:
‘ Turning on 5,000 sites in the AWS band this year, doubling capacity and boosting speed by using 20MHz x 20MHz channels
‘ Starting to introduce HetNet elements, initially small cells from Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson, from later this year. It will also use cell splitting and distributed antenna systems to enhance its network.
‘ Launch VoLTE in early 2014, supporting RCS and HD voice. Although Verizon plans to roll the voice technology out in a big bang way, rather than market-by-market, it will keep a CDMA back-up until at least 2020, and does not expect a wide choice of VoLTE devices until 2015.
‘ Refarm some PCS spectrum from 2015 to add to 700MHz and AWS.
‘ Start to implement some of LTE-Advanced’s menu of enhancements from 2014, with carrier aggregation likely to come first, though Verizon has been less open about its LTE-A (or carrier Wi-Fi) intentions than its rivals.
AT&T:
AT&T’s LTE network now covers more than 200m people in 326 markets, and is set to reach 300m residents by the end of 2013. It will start roll-out of single-mode small cells this year, and multimode (3G/4G and/or Wi-Fi) from 2014. It also plans to start using some LTE-A features, notably carrier aggregation, from late this year.
Sprint:
Sprint expects to finish most of its LTE build-out this year and currently covers 110 markets. It should reach 200m POPs by the end of the year. Clearwire is to start LTE roll-out in some of its former WiMAX sites from early next year but its schedule could be changed now Sprint has full control, and Softbank’s intense interest in its TDD 2.5GHz band (which the Japanese firm also owns at home) may accelerate build-out, moving Clearwire to the heart of the plan.
T-Mobile:
Its LTE network now covers 116 markets, including 73 metro areas, and 157m people. The company aims to cover 200m POPS by year end with average speeds of 10Mbps to 20Mbps. The carrier said it looks to have 60% to 80% LTE coverage in a market before it goes live. It is also starting to deploy certain LTE-Advanced technologies in some cell sites, notably 4×4 MIMO, though most will not be activated until there are enough supporting devices.