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New iPad - 4G LTE functionality useless in the UK, but has HSPA+


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Old 07-03-2012, 20:20
Colin_London
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Thought it would be worth pulling this out as a discrete thread.

The new iPad, as per the specs on the Apple UK website, is 'LTE (700 / 2100 MHz)'.

This makes its 4G capability useless in the UK, where LTE will make use of the 800MHz Digital Dividend capacity, and operators existing 900 and 1800MHz spectrum. I am not aware of any operator wanting to use their 2100MHz spectrum for LTE.

So although UK users are buying a unit capable of LTE usage in the US, it won't be of any benefit in the UK.

However, it does also have HSPA+ in its specification, so there is a silver lining of sorts! Several operators are starting to roll out HSPA+ at present.
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Old 07-03-2012, 20:44
IvanIV
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Well it can't be that difficult to call to China to make a few changes for the UK market. It may be necessary for other countries as well, should it make people hesitate to buy it because of that.
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Old 07-03-2012, 20:55
Colin_London
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The 4G functionality is clearly for the US market (AT&T and Verizon).

I doubt you'll see a European LTE version until next year, as most EU countries are using 800MHz for LTE which is only now being auctioned off.

There won't be a call for LTE devices in the EU for at least another year when networks start to expand, so why should Apple produce a special for Europe before the next release in 2013?

Still, it does bring into question the use of '4G' in UK marketing for the new iPad, unless they are going to try and spin HSPA+ as 4G here.....
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Old 07-03-2012, 21:58
DundeeDude
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iPad with 4G… But no 4G in the UK yet
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Old 07-03-2012, 22:07
Colin_London
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Reports coming in that iOS 5.1 now reports HSPA+ as '4G'.

So it looks like they are going to spin HSPA+ as 4G here in the UK
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Old 07-03-2012, 23:02
interactiv-uk
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Reports coming in that iOS 5.1 now reports HSPA+ as '4G'.

So it looks like they are going to spin HSPA+ as 4G here in the UK
Three have already said they'll be rolling out 42Meg "4G" in the summer. This as we know is really 3.9-and-a-bit G as the speed requirement for true 4G is at least 100Meg.

Ofcon really should step in and stop them calling there offering as it will just muddy the waters and further confuse the very confusable general public!
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Old 07-03-2012, 23:31
interactiv-uk
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Reports coming in that iOS 5.1 now reports HSPA+ as '4G'.

So it looks like they are going to spin HSPA+ as 4G here in the UK
A bit of net digging suggests its only going to say 4G for HSPA+ on AT&T in the states.
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Old 08-03-2012, 00:24
Gormond
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A bit of net digging suggests its only going to say 4G for HSPA+ on AT&T in the states.
What's annoying is none of it is 4G till we see LTE Advanced (True 4G) but it seems to be the way all networks and manufacturers are going.
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Old 08-03-2012, 00:58
ShaunIOW
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Telecom companies not telling the truth in advertising is hardly new - unlimited data anyone?
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Old 08-03-2012, 01:32
REDBUS
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at least we know the direction were going in (cheer's usa) and something will be ready at least when we do, we've followed us tech for years' (and always been behind ,but at least were going in the same direction anytime soon, so hey ho,better than been left in knowmansland (again).

Eventually it will tricle down for us all
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Old 08-03-2012, 08:30
Colin_London
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A bit of net digging suggests its only going to say 4G for HSPA+ on AT&T in the states.
And you don't think that'll mean the same will hold outside the US?

They will have done it to satisfy AT&T marketing in their biggest market, but it'll get applied to all HSPA+ reception undoubtedly.
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Old 09-03-2012, 09:04
Premiere HD
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Please consider the US needs LTE as their UMTS isn't as good as ours in Europe. Maybe you can compare it to the NTSC TV system which lead into an earlier adaption of HDTV over there.

The next question for me is if you really need that LTE speed on a mobile device? Who the hell has an 72 Mbps internet connection at home and would need that outside?

New plans including HSPA+ will be more than enough speaking of me. There are even times now when I'm ok with current 3G, sometimes it's annoying but not always, it still depends on whose customer you are, O2 over here is total crap. LTE won't reach that claimed speed anyway when more and more people begin to use it.

In Germany, LTE maybe is on its way to be a new standard by next year or so but rather for people at home who aren't connected to broadband yet.

Once LTE will have covered Europe the current iPad will be completely out of date and you guys now buying one would consider buying a new one anyway which probably gives more than added European LTE frequencies.

However, Apple could just have added different frequency bands into their European models to make it LTE ready worldwide and keep all the discussion away.

That's my point of view.
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Old 09-03-2012, 11:23
IvanIV
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With all those massive data torrents in the air I wonder if there will be space for any oxygene left Yes, it's nice to have technology developing, but it's slowly time somebody came with a fec.king battery that will last longer than a day in a smartphone. Because these speeds mean a device has to be able to process the data = more computing power = shorter battery life. So it's OK for desktops or laptops, but it will have an impact on battery if a sustained stream of data is necessary.
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Old 19-03-2012, 21:52
pinkteddyx64
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iPad with 4G… But no 4G in the UK yet
Wrong: http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news...n-london-63676 OK, so it is only in an area of London for now, but it still renders your statement about there being no 4G in the UK yet false.
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