Verizon dropped a “save the date” into our inbox this afternoon, asking that we reserve some time on May 22 at CTIA for a “special announcement” from COO Marni Walden. We were actually planning on skipping CTIA this year as the wireless tech conference has become a waste of time over the last two years, but this certainly means we’ll be in attendance. The question is, “What kind of announcement are they going to make?”

Big Red has been quiet this year in terms of device announcements, even managing to remain completely silent on the Samsung Galaxy S4 since its unveiling. There have been rumors of a May 30 or even May 22 launch floating around, so the timing of this announcement works. But why host an entire event to announce that they are carrying the GS4? Samsung already told us it’s coming, they just wouldn’t give us a date. Seems unlikely, right?

Will they announce a network change? More on their LTE rollout or even VoLTE? First VoLTE phone? What about the end of contracts with smartphone plans? Could we see their oft-rumored HTC One variant codenamed DLXPLUS?

Verizon, you have grabbed our attention.

Verizon has a Special Announcement to Make on May 22, Any Guesses? is a post from: Droid Life

Speaking at the Deutsche Bank 2013 Media, Internet & Telecom Conference, Verizon  CFO Fran “ShamWow” Shammo brought to life the idea that his company will likely start to sell VoLTE devices by the end of this year or early 2014 and that they will help lower subsidies in phones. With VoLTE (voice-over LTE), there isn’t a need for a CDMA modem inside the device because voice and data are both done over LTE, so the prices of phones would essentially drop and become more affordable to consumers. 

The key here, is the fact that Verizon’s 4G LTE network has grown so rapidly. Once they have matched their 3G network coverage by mid-2013, they will be able to release VoLTE phones that run on nothing but LTE.

While Shammo’s comments likely had to do with an ongoing conversation in the industry over a change in subsidy approach (T-Mobile makes you pay a monthly fee for phones rather than through a typical upfront price slashing via subsidy), we care more about what this means for Nexus and future device implications. If Verizon were to sell a phone with no CDMA radio inside, we’re talking about an opportunity for Google to drop a new phone on us with an LTE radio inside tuned to Big Red’s band 13 LTE frequency with no need to worry about the locked up nature of their CDMA network. This could also mean a time where we can buy unlocked LTE phones (assuming they support Verizon’s band) and activate without a need to go through Verizon, much like we see with current GSM networks.

VoLTE may be our second chance at having a Nexus that works on Verizon. If VZW plans to have phones of this nature by the end of this year, feel free to start hypebeasting your next Nexus feature list in the comments.

Via:  Fierce Wireless

Verizon Plans to Launch VoLTE Phones by End of This Year to Help Lower Subsidies is a post from: Droid Life

According to a recent study, a test of battery life between 3G (CDMA) and VoLTE showed a 50% reduction when placing calls over LTE only. The test apparently took place over an unnamed U.S. operator’s network in two major markets using a smartphone that was capable of making both VoLTE and CDMA calls. We do not know the specific device, only that it was using a fully charged 1540mAh battery. 

During the test, the device lasted 252 minutes over VoLTE and 503 minutes on CDMA. It’s tough to say why the drain happened so quickly, but the author of this study tossed out the idea that when using VoLTE only, you are only using the LTE chip, which could result in a larger drain. I don’t know that I necessarily buy into that idea, since we spent the first year of LTE complaining about dual-radios and the fact that a device’s battery was horrible because it had to power both an LTE and CDMA radio simultaneously.

One thing I think we should keep in mind, is the fact that VoLTE on Verizon is just now going into major testing, if you could call it that. By the time we get close to launch, which could be towards the end of 2013, I would imagine that devices will be built with VoLTE in mind and with a focus on battery life. Since we don’t know who the carrier was or which device was being used, I wouldn’t call these tests definitive by any means. Still, something to think about.

Via:  Fierce Wireless | BGR

VoLTE Could Slash Smartphone Battery Life by 50%? is a post from: Droid Life

Today, Verizon is letting the public in on plans for their 4G LTE network. VZW’s Nicola Palmer first laid out the numbers, which are growing more impressive by the day. As of right now, Verizon’s 4G LTE covers 75% of America’s population with 350+ markets. Today’s announcement is big for Verizon, as they have announced that they will easily meet their goal of having 400 LTE markets by the end of this year. On and around October 18, 4G LTE will go live in 20+ additional cities, bringing the total to 417 cities. 

Once the press were allowed to ask follow-up questions is when some more interesting info became available. As for VoLTE, it is currently being tested on the network and they are expected to offer the service by the end of 2013. They also touched briefly on LTE Advanced, but didn’t go far into detail. She stated that as the technology grows, they will look more into incorporating it.

As for the “road ahead,” Palmer says that their 4G LTE network will cover their entire 3G footprint by the end of 2013, so if you’re on Verizon and still aren’t seeing 4G LTE, it sounds like 2013 is going to be huge for you.

Verizon: VoLTE Launching End of 2013, in Testing Now is a post from: Droid Life

The world’s first “commercially available” Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) network launched today, but it wasn’t from a carrier that you would have expected to be first. MetroPCS takes the cake this time around, something they should actually be proud of.

VoLTE is a data service that will transform the industry once it is widely adopted. Current carrier networks that have 4G LTE capabilities still rely on CDMA or GSM to handle their voice calls and texting, but with VoLTE, data takes care of it all. Call quality and stability should be greatly improved once you have the entire process handled by data. We would assume that battery life on devices will also become much more efficient with there being no need to power a second 3G or 2G radio, however, devices of that nature may still be a ways out.

Along with this announcement of the first VoLTE network, MetroPCS is also announcing the first phone to take advantage of it, the LG Connect 4G.

Fun news, right?

Once Verizon covers the country in 4G LTE over the next year, you can imagine that they will start to ready VoLTE service of their own. They have reportedly begun testing in a couple of markets and have said that they could start rolling it out in 2013 to the public. By the end of 2013, they may even offer VoLTE-only devices.

MetroPCS Launches World’s First Commercially Available Voice Over LTE Service and VoLTE-Capable 4G LTE Smartphone

DALLAS, Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) today reached another innovation milestone by announcing the world’s first commercial launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, availability of the world’s first VoLTE-capable handsets and the first sale of a VoLTE-capable handset at one of the company’s Dallas/Fort Worth store locations. MetroPCS is selling the new VoLTE-capable LG Connect 4G Android™ smartphone at select U.S. stores and will continue to roll out VoLTE services and phones in the coming weeks.

“Being the first operator globally to reach this industry first speaks volumes about our company’s innovative spirit and passion to achieve goals that we believe will have long-term benefit for our customers and for the company,” said Roger Linquist, chairman and chief executive officer of MetroPCS. “The initial move to LTE and this move to VoLTE allow us to achieve significant spectral efficiencies and will increase network capacity so that we can enhance the 4G LTE experience that our customers have today at a tremendous value. VoLTE also provides a foundational capability for future Rich Communication Services (RCS), which we plan to launch later this year.”

The addition of VoLTE capabilities to MetroPCS’ 4G LTE handsets will be transparent to consumers as they continue to enjoy all the voice and 4G LTE data services with which they are already familiar. Calls to and from the handset will use VoLTE, regardless of the handset or network used on the other end of the call.

MetroPCS was the first U.S. carrier to deploy a commercial 4G LTE network in September 2010 and has since built out its 4G LTE network to cover roughly 90 percent of its CDMA footprint.

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.

Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of no annual contract, unlimited wireless communications service for a flat rate. MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based wireless carrier in the United States based on number of subscribers served. With Metro USA(SM), MetroPCS customers can use their service in areas throughout the United States covering a population of over 280 million people. As of June 30, 2012, MetroPCS had approximately 9.3 million subscribers. For more information please visit www.metropcs.com.

MetroPCS Launches World’s First VoLTE Network and Smartphone, Take That Big Four! is a post from: Droid Life

By now, we all know and love our 4G LTE network that the various carriers are providing for us. Still even now though, LTE is not used for any voice duties, only data. Verizon specifically uses 3G or CDMA for any voice calls, but thanks to a new test by a Qualcomm chip, the MSM8960 Snapdragon S4, full LTE use is in sight.

This new chipset allows for a single radio to handle the LTE/CDMA handoff seamlessly. This means there doesn’t need to be two separate radios for data and voice. What does this mean for the consumers? Smaller phones and better battery life without the need for multiple radios. When VoLTE (voice over LTE) becomes more commercially focused these chips will be invaluable to our phones.

Via: Engadget

True 4G Future Gets Closer, Qualcomm Successfully Completes VoIP LTE To WCDMA Tests is a post from: Droid Life

According to Catharine Trebnick of Northland Capital Markets who spoke with Light Reading, Verizon is already testing VoLTE (voice over LTE) in two markets and has plans for a nationwide rollout in early 2013. VoLTE is the future of LTE, which is a technology that allows users to place calls over the “web” or via data rather than through traditional 3G lines. The quality of calls is theoretically better and you can simultaneously use voice and data without needing an extra 3G radio. Also, things like video chatting become simple as they can be performed through a user’s phone number rather than a stand-alone service like Skype.

A nationwide rollout in 2013 does make sense, as Verizon’s current plan is to have LTE in every location that they have 3G by that time. Whether or not we see VoLTE service before then is anyone’s guess.

Via:  Light Reading, VZBuzz

Verizon Already Testing VoLTE Service in Two Markets, Nationwide Rollout Happens in Early 2013? is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon just completed the world’s first Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) call, a 33 second long conversation between their director and manager of technology using an LG Revolution.  Word got out yesterday that they would be demoing this new VoLTE service at MWC, but the brilliant idea of testing it out before getting on stage must have crossed someone’s mind.

The press release states that the service will be optimized during 2011 and available some time in 2012, although earlier reports said the Revo would have it working by launch this summer.  Either way, the service will allow for amazing call quality and super fast simultaneous voice and data.  Nice work Verizon.

Presser after the break.   

VERIZON WIRELESS ANNOUNCES WORLD’S FIRST SUCCESSFUL VOICE OVER LTE CALL ON A COMMERCIAL LTE NETWORK

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Chief Technology Officer Tony Melone has confirmed that the company’s technologists placed a live, IMS-based VoLTE (Voice over LTE) call over its commercial network on Wednesday morning.  This takes VoLTE calling from a lab environment to a commercial network for the first time anywhere on the globe.

The initial call was placed at 9:54 a.m. ET Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 by Balaji Raghavachari, manager of technology for Verizon Wireless, using a LG Revolution 4G smartphone.  The call originated at Verizon headquarters in Basking Ridge, N.J. and was received by Sanyogita Shamsunder, director of technology for Verizon Wireless, who was also on a LG Revolution 4G smartphone in Basking Ridge.  The initial call was 33 seconds in duration.  During additional calls made that morning, the technologists were able to browse the Web and use other data services while participating in voice calls.

Melone said, “Today is another proof point that the LTE ecosystem is alive, healthy and thriving.  VoLTE will quickly become the global standard for delivering voice over LTE networks.”

“The GSMA launched a voice over LTE initiative a year ago with the aim of driving a single, industry-wide solution for voice and messaging services via IP,” said Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at the GSMA.  “We commend Verizon Wireless for helping to make this a reality by conducting the world’s first voice call over a commercial LTE network. The progress made by the GSMA, its members, and in particular Verizon Wireless, to enable this functionality will play a crucial role in driving strong momentum and vast economies of scale for LTE all over the world.”

Subsequent test calls lasted more than 10 minutes.  Technologists browsed the Web, participated in chats and downloaded applications from the Android Market™ while on a voice call.  The LG Revolution smartphones were running on the Android 2.2 platform.

Verizon Wireless plans to enhance VoLTE with rich communications services and optimize performance on its commercial 4G LTE network during 2011.  Commercial services are expected to be available in 2012.

Verizon will showcase IMS-based VoLTE calls over a demonstration network in its booth (Hall 8, stall 8C55) at GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, next week.  For more information about LTE, visit www.verizonwireless.com/LTE.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Verizon Completes World’s First VoLTE Call Using an LG Revolution is a post from: Droid Life

The current setup for Verizon’s 4G LTE network lets users make calls on 3G and use data on 4G, but all that is about to change.  Big Red, according to reports, is readying a demo for next week at MWC using the LG Revolution that will show off Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) for the first time.  VoLTE will allow 4G phones to finally make calls and conduct video chats over the “web” which should results in higher quality conversations.  This technology is essentially the future of cell networks.

And since the Revolution will be the demo unit, it’s expected to be the first 4G LTE device to utilize the technology and should be available some time in the first half of this year.  We got our hands on it at CES and thought it was a solid device, but without a Tegra 2 powering it, it’s hard to think that many will skip the BIONIC for it.

Via:  CNN, Phandroid

LG Revolution is Verizon’s First to do Voice Over LTE, Demoed Next Week at MWC is a post from: Droid Life