Teething problems on Verizon’s new U.S. LTE network

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Verizon Wireless says that laptop users with USB modems on its new high-speed LTE (Long Term Evolution) network may experience up to a two minute delay when switching over from a slower 3G coverage zone.

“Hand-offs can take up to a couple minutes, but that was expected and a fix is in the works,” Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson told Computerworld by e-mail on Friday.

He also said Verizon is working on drivers for USB modems designed for the LTE network so that they work with Mac OS-based computers. “Mac is not yet supported, and we’ve been working on drivers for Mac OS for weeks, and expect to update relatively soon,” Nelson said.

Otherwise, Nelson reported that there have been no problems on the LTE network, which launched in 38 U.S. cities on Dec. 5 . He said the network has been handling data “as expected,” which was advertised at offering 5 Mbit/sec. to 12 Mbit/sec. of download speeds.

Some Boston-area testers have reported downloads of 20 Megabit per seconds and uploads of 5 Mbps on uncrowded networks, and generally Verizon’s advertised speeds are being reported by other early testers in various cities as well. (LTE is about 10 times faster than the 3G EVDO network, Verizon has said.)

One tester wrote in Business Insider that when moving into an existing 3G network zone (over Verizon’s EVDO network) with a new USB modem plugged into a laptop the network speed dropped .

Also, to get back on LTE once already having been in an LTE zone, that tester said it was necessary to unplug the modem and plug it back in again. However, Nelson said that was not necessary, although he did say it could take up to two minutes to reconnect to LTE.

The “hand-off” problem from EVDO to LTE had been foretold by Verizon CTO Tony Melone on Dec. 1. He said there would be a brief delay.
 

Whenever a carrier adds a new wireless network, it usually starts small and then broadens coverage to its entire. As a result, some areas will still only be capable of handling slower speeds. The ability to seemlessly handoff between older and newer networks is one that carriers and subscribers worry about.

 

In Canada, where Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc’s Bell Mobility and Telus Corp. are testing LTE, network handoff is an area being investigated.

Verizon sells two models of modems for LTE connections to laptops, one from LG and one from Pantech, each for $100 after rebate and a two-year contract.

Nelson said Verizon was working with a modem maker on the hand-off problem, but didn’t say which maker. Business Insider said the hand-off problem occurred with an LG model. “We’re working with the modem maker for quick update, but no ETA yet,” Nelson said.

The spokesman wouldn’t say how many modems or data service plans have been sold so far, but said Verizon has been pleased with reviews of network speeds.

It is still early to tell how well customers will like Verizon’s pricing plans for LTE data service , with US$50 a month for 5GB of data and US$80 for 10GB. Some analysts have predicted average users might exceed the 10GB, incurring an overage charge of $10 per 1GB.

(With files by Howard Solomon, Network World Canada)

(From Computerworld U.S.)