Why do wireless networks not interoperate with each other? – Part 1

Different wireless carriers use different spectra to connect the users to their communications networks and the internet. However, due to cut-throat competition in the market, these carriers lock the network-issued devices to limit their functionalities only to their own networks. The lack of inter-operability on other carriers is becoming a growing concern of the users all over the world and the situation gets worse in the US.

The AT&T users, for example, cannot get their devices to work on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Verizon and AT&T are two major wireless carriers in the US. However, this is not only the case with AT&T and Verizon but every regional or nationwide carrier in the country is towing the same line.

There are two spectrum frequencies in the country that are in use by US wireless companies, 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 1900 MHz. Federal Communications Commission in the US has distributed these spectra among the carriers. AT&T and Verizon are using 700 MHz spectrum, while Sprint is using 1900 MHz and some 800 MHz spectrum. That’s why those networks are incompatible, even though the underlying technology is the same.

The question raised here by most of the customers is that, if both Verizon and AT&T are on the same 700 MHz spectrum than why are they not interoperable? The answer to the question requires some technical knowledge.

Though both AT&T and Verizon are on the same 700 MHz band, they are allotted two different parts. FCC divided the band into two parts: an upper portion and a lower portion. AT&T bid on the lower portion with smaller licences, whereas Verizon bought the upper C Block of the same gamut. In addition, both made sure that both divisions are not interoperable. Same goes for Sprint, which dwells on both 800 and 1900 MHz spectra.

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Posted by Usman Khalid on Apr 30 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.