Why do wireless networks not interoperate with each other? – Part 2
Monday, April 30th, 2012 6:29:24 by Usman Khalid
This poses a threat for regional operators in the US. Every band, be it 700 MHz or 1900 MHz, is now a stronghold of one or two operators, whereas the smaller fish have to fight on the leftovers.
Experts around the world have beseeched the operator to allow interoperability for users to roam on other networks where the primary carrier is not available. This is a big issue in the US and outside the country as well.
“There are several regional operators with 700 MHz spectrum to build 4G LTE networks,” said Steve Berry, CEO of the Rural Cellular Association trade group. “They have the spectrum and the cash to build their networks. But what they really need is interoperability so they can build an ecosystem of devices and so their customers can roam.”
However, this has not gone past the FCC unnoticed. The commission is in the process of addressing the issue by creating or finding a midway through. Currently, the FCC is working on the interference issues that might spur in case of the interoperability or roaming. Once the commission has found the remedy to the problem, they are expected to urge the networks to allow intra-national roaming.
The big issue here is that even if FCC succeeds in finding a solution to the problem, the carriers have the power to lock their devices, limiting their connectivity to one network. Moreover, due to the power these companies have over US wireless networks, they can dictate any new regulations.
One can only hope that these networks feel pity on their customers and see the real issue here, which is roaming in a region where the primary network is not available.
Tags: 4g, at&t, fcc, lte, roaming, Sprint, VerizonShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=20959
Posted by Usman Khalid
on Apr 30 2012. Filed under Sci-Tech.
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Sprint’s CDMA phones can roam on Verizon network and vice versa. My Sprint plan let’s me roam on Verizon’s towers for free, althought it usually didn’t work. I believe Verizon charges their customers per minute for roaming on Sprint’s network if not already included in their plan probably for an extra charge. If I want I can ask Sprint to unlock my old smartphone that I finished paying for under the previous subsidized 2 year contract and go to Verizon to activate it. The same thing could be done between AT&T and T-Mobile’s phone’s and network that use GSM, which uses easily swapped SIM cards provided the phone is unlocked after it is 100% owned.
Sprint’s 4G WiMax (which is already going obsolete) provider Clearwire currently offers a cheap portable modem to create a WiFi hot spot that is becoming popular with AT&T and Verizon customers who constantly use a lot more data than their limited plans allow. FreedomPop and Netzero will even try to offer free or deeply discounted larger limited data plans to AT&T & Verizon customers who occassionally use more data then allowed under their phone plans. Clearwire is trying to transition to the faster LTE flavor “TD-LTE” as they are in a financial squeeze along with their major owner Sprint who is hoping to use Clearwire’s future LTE network for some of Sprint’s unlimited data customers as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Sprint is downsizing their no longer profitable or unique (for push to talk feature) Nextel network, while they continue to work on converting their tower equipment to handle their existing and or future mix of CDMA and FD-LTE. Supposedly the newest and future phones have and/or will have both flavors of LTE built-in for Sprint and other’s postpaid, prepaid, and wholesale customers. Clearwire has more spectrum for 4G LTE than Sprint alone will need when Sprint needs to offload excessive data from their network or where Sprint’s network doesn’t support 4G or need to with Clearwire’s already existing coverage
A new wireless phone company with no network called Republic Wireless is using free Wi-Fi for VOIP on a LG optimus phone when available and roaming (as a Sprint reseller, I believe) when necessary. It is possible for most smartphones to use VOIP to make calls using easily downloaded apps, which reminds me that I should go look for one of those apps to use with my Sprint Kycero Echo.
It seems to me if you have recently bought smartphone like mine or many others and WiFi nearby (or better yet, where ever you go), you will have interoperability now. Without WiFi, where 4G is already available and if you have a unlocked dual capable LTE phone while traveling overseas, the local wireless provider should be able to sell you a temporary LTE date plan.
Dear Herb69,
What I discussed in my post was about carrier-issued smartphones with lack inter-operability over 4G LTE networks. Sprint’s 4G works on HSPA+, so does T-Mobiles’.
Regards,
Usman.