Verizon's publicized data rate for next-generation cellular.
Ha, ha.
Verizon is going to launch its new cellular voice and data network next week, if everything goes according to plan. This so-called "Express Network," CDMA 1xRTT, according to an article in Wired, "will deliver data at up to 144 kilobits per second." The Wired article also says "Verizon Wireless is about the become the first carrier in the United States to offer advanced wireless services such as streaming video over mobile phones.
Absolute hogwash
It's this sort of stuff that has helped destroy confidence in wireless data.
I am amused, but not surprised, that Verizon is -- like virtually every other cellular carrier in the world -- hyping the speed and misleading the public. Unfortunately, too many journalists are falling for this bunk.
"144K bps" -- yeah, right....and pigs will fly. If you believe those speeds, I assume you believe the "up to" speeds of GSM GPRS. The true data rate fo GSM GPRS phones is typically 20K bps - 40K bps, if you're lucky enough to be in coverage and the connection doesn't drop when you hand off to another tower.
Verizon's 1xRTT network will -- unless their engineers have godlike powers -- probably provide average speeds to subscribers of 40K - 60K bps. In Korea, where 1xRTT has been around for a while, speeds can be 70K bps, and a bit higher.
But unless there is no one in the vicinity using the network, you are in perfect coverage range (sitting on top of the tower?), your handset is capable of achieving 144K bps and there are no trees, buildings or air molecules in the way, you won't get anything close to even half of 144K bps.
As for streaming video over cellular phones, that's another misleading statement. The fact that it can be done doesn't mean it will be done in the near future. It won't. It will cost to much, the speeds really won't be good enough and the screens of most phone will be too small. Some subscribers might try streaming video once, for the heck of it, and that's about it. More marketing hype from an industry that continues to raise expectations.
Lies, but there is progress
This is **not** to say that 1xRTT speeds will be awful. Indeed, I believe the majority of users will be satisfied if they can get data rates that are close to landline dial-up, say, 45K bps. This speed is do-able with 1xRTT, even at the outset. Assuming Verizon offers reasonable pricing for consumers (probably not a valid assumption), 1xRTT systems could, finally, offer "good enough" service to make "wireless Internet" something more than today's cellular joke.
As for Verizon becoming "the only competitor in the US market to offer advanced wireless services"......does that include Sprint? Sprint and Verizon will begin fighting it out to compete for customers and mindshare. Sprint is, arguably, ahead of Verizon in launching a nationwide network. Emphasis: nationwide -- not selected areas. Sprint will launch in the middle of this year and it promises nationwide coverage. When Verizon launches, will it be across the country? The chances are slim to none.
Also, when will there be a large selection of handsets? When will you be able to buy a 1xRTT PC Card (let alone Compact Flash) modem for your laptop or PDA?
The wireless industry is making progress with data, but they are also progressing very nicely with their hype.
1:14:09 PM 
|
