LTE

AT&T’s LTE coverage doubles in 2012

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 16, 2012

Just in time for latest LTE iPads that Friday morning hit online and brick-and-mortar stores of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and Best Buy, the nation's #1 carrier AT&T announced its 4G LTE is now available in 24 new markets in the United States. More importantly, the company claims to have doubled its LTE coverage in 2012 versus the end of 2011.

Specifically its LTE now covers more than 150 million people in a total of 103 markets. As part of its ambitious $14 billion LTE network expansion project, AT&T's LTE will expand to 250 million people by year-end 2013 and to 300 million by year-end 2014...

Sprint starts selling LTE 4th gen iPad and iPad mini today

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Sprint announced this morning that it will begin selling LTE models of the 4th gen iPad and iPad mini in its retail stores today. The news comes shortly after reports surfaced that Apple has started stocking its own stores with the + Cellular tablets, suggesting that today's launch might not be limited to the Kansas-based carrier...

Fourth-gen LTE iPads reaching Apple Stores

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Making good on its promise, Apple has started stocking its U.S. retail outlets with cellular versions of the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display. According to web reports, Apple yesterday instructed its retail staff to stock these units and to wait until Mothership instructs them to begin sales because a launch date has not yet been communicated.

By all accounts, the company should officially start selling these tomorrow, November 16. In a media release announcing opening weekend sales of three million iPads, Apple noted that cellular versions of both the iPad mini and the fourth-generation model will be available in the US on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon "in a few weeks"...

AT&T lights up LTE in eight new cities

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 14, 2012

As part of its $14 billion LTE network expansion, U.S. carrier AT&T today announced the launch of speedy LTE radio technology in eight new cities: Milwaukee, WI; Denver, CO; Louisville, KY; Orlando, FL; York, PA; Tacoma, WA; Annapolis, MD; and Provo, UT. Apple users in these areas who own an LTE device such as the iPhone 5 or cellular iPads should see notable speed gains over the coming days. Just last week, the carrier rolled out LTE in Little Rock, Arkansas and expanded LTE coverage in Bakersfield, California and Florida Keys, Florida...

First LTE iPad mini pre-orders are now en route to US customers

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 13, 2012

During the September 12 iPad mini unveiling Apple vaguely indicated that the Wi-Fi + Cellular model would start shipping “a couple of weeks after the Wi-Fi models”. Then, when it started accepting pre-orders and announced opening weekend sales of three million iPads, the company reiterated that the cellular version of both the fourth-gen iPad and the smaller one will be available in the US on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon “in a few weeks”.

We’re now receiving reports that some customers who pre-ordered a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad mini are receiving shipping notices from their courier service. Many are seeing delivery dates of this Friday, November 16, or the following Monday, with some deliveries reportedly set for as early as tomorrow, November 15...

AT&T rolls out LTE to Little Rock, expands in other markets

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

AT&T announced that it was going to be once again expanding its LTE network yesterday. The rollout brings the high speed data connection to Little Rock, Arkansas, and increases its availability in Bakersfield, California and other markets. So if you just picked up an iPhone 5 or other LTE device on AT&T, here's the new coverage areas...

Verizon to complete LTE network by mid-2013

Cody Lee ∙ November 8, 2012

With more and more devices coming to market supporting 4G LTE (long term evolution) networks, people are paying more attention to carriers' LTE coverage. And here in the States, no body comes close to Verizon.

With more than a year head start over the other providers, Verizon is the leader in LTE coverage by a mile. It currently has the 4G tech in more than 400 markets, and it sounds like it'll be everywhere by next summer...

AT&T announces new FaceTime over Cellular policy

Cody Lee ∙ November 8, 2012

AT&T has announced today that it is reversing its decision to limit iOS 6's FaceTime over Cellular ability to customers on its new shared data plans. The carrier says that subscribers with LTE devices will now be able to use the feature regardless of what data plan they're on, as long as it's not unlimited...

AT&T announces $14 billion LTE network expansion

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 7, 2012

AT&T, the nation's #1 carrier, today announced ambitious plans meant to improve its network infrastructure and broaden 4G LTE coverage. The company pledged to spend as much as $14 billion on network upgrades over the next three years and said it will roll out 4G LTE to cover 250 million by the end of 2013, adding an additional 50 million for a total of 300 million people by the end of 2014.

Additionally, AT&T confirmed plans to expand U-verse to an additional 8.5 million customers by the end of 2015. The investment plan even has a cool sounding code-name: Project Velocity IP (VIP)...

Sprint wants to buy U.S. Cellular’s spectrum and users for $480 million

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Carrier Sprint today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with U.S. Cellular about purchasing its PCS spectrum and customers in Midwest U.S. for $480 million in cash. This effort to boost network capacity is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in mid-2013. Sprint will use the additional spectrum to broaden its own coverage in these areas...

First unboxing images of iPad mini hit the web

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2012

Apple originally promised to ship the 4G LTE cellular version of the iPad mini mid-November. However, following selling out of initial supplies of Wi-Fi models, analysts have warned the company could easily face production issues that could easily affect delivery dates. Multiple web reports now indicate that Apple is in fact removing delivery dates for iPad mini LTE pre-orders.

Some customers are now reporting that the company updated their November 23 shipment date to just "mid-November". Meanwhile, just as first (and largely positive) reviews hit the web, a guy in France has already received his Wi-Fi unit ahead of Friday's official launch and posted a series of unboxing pics...

UK’s Everything Everywhere launches 4G LTE network

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 30, 2012

Everything Everywhere today launched its 4G LTE network in the United Kingdom, giving UK shoppers plenty of reasons to buy the new iPad mini, the iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad this holiday season. All these devices feature improved cellular connectivity that supports a wider gamut of LTE frequency bands across the world's carriers.

Apple's web site also lists Everything Everywhere as being compatible with the 4G LTE flavors supported by Apple's late-2012 iOS devices. Go past the fold for plans and pricing information...