Comments on: A Wandering Eye: Apple, AT&T and Verizon

By: texasyellowdog

texasyellowdog — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:02:39 +0000

The MiFi has been perfect so far. I only use about 7mb/day; probably because my ipod touch is my primary device, and the built in apps for the NYT and WSJ along with Google reader have light bandwidth requirements. If I were using a lot of full web pages, it might be a lot more. In a -90dbm EVDO (3 bar) reception area I get 600kb download, but in a -70 (5 bar) area I can get 1.2mb download. Other reports in Dallas claim 2mb download — my towers may be backhaul limited. If you haven’t seen one of these in person, you can not believe how small and lightweight they are. It’s half the weight and volume of the ipod touch. I just leave in in my pocket. There may be a next step, maybe multi carrier, but it would be a lot to ask of your phone to power a wireless router also.

By: Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:40:20 +0000

@texasyellowdog – how do you like your MiFi? I have been wondering how wireless carriers will answer the puzzle of multiple devices/one mobile broadband connection – MiFi seems a decent first step, but its only really a first step.

By: texasyellowdog

texasyellowdog — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:44:57 +0000

I am not reluctant to spend cash on internet connected devices, but have been unable to do so with my decade long wireless provider, Verizon. I don’t want to pay monthly for a data plan on an inferior phone. Last week I tired of waiting an bought a Verizon MiFi, and I will provide my own devices: iPod Touch, Dell Mini 9 netbook, and more to come.

By: Tom Reestman

Tom Reestman — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:06:50 +0000

Colin,

I agree the App Store is absolutely critical, and I wonder if Verizon would be so foolish as to want the iPhone but still want to push BREW apps. In any case, I’m sure any attempt to change the iPhone would be refused by Apple.

Kevin,

The problem with waiting for LTE is two-fold: 1) Despite talk about it being 12-18 months away, who are we kidding? Look how long EDGE held out against 3G. I think widespread use of LTE is still years off, and am not sure Apple can (or should) wait that long. 2) Even when in “widespread” use, won’t the iPhone have to fallback to the older network when 4G is not available? It may be that CDMA capability will be necessary anyway. Apple will probably introduce a CDMA variant in China, so I believe they’re coming to the realization that it’s time to diversify.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:00:35 +0000

I suspect AT&T moved the timetable up today on their HSPA network upgrade mainly to keep Apple happy with the “signal” part of the tripod. As you said very well, Apple makes the phone, which are the hardware and software legs. AT&T has to step up the signal part, so they’re spending $18b to do just that. My gut says Apple stays with AT&T in the US until we see LTE deployments.

By: Colin Gibbs

Colin Gibbs — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:13:55 +0000

I think Apple’s App Store may be the crucial — and perhaps insurmountable — hurdle in launching a VZW iPhone. As closed and protected as the carrier continues to be, it’s tough to envision Verizon supporting an app-distribution system that leaves it cut out of download revenues.