Rumor: Verizon installing LTE equipment at Apple Stores ahead of 'iPad 3'
Verizon Wireless is rumored to have begun installing LTE network equipment at Apple's retail stores in preparation for the arrival of the third-generation iPad.
Multiple sources have claimed recently that Apple will announce 4G LTE support for the new iPad at a media event on Wednesday. The rumor was bolstered by a teaser from Verizon on Tuesday that said "something is coming" and allowed interested customers to sign-up to learn more.
Cult of Mac that Verizon has been hard at work installing LTE equipment at Apple's retail locations "over the last couple days." Further details on the project, however, remained scarce.
Separately, AppleInsider heard from tipsters last month that Verizon was sending "plain clothes contractors" to upgrade the network infrastructure at certain Apple Stores, though those reports remain as yet unconfirmed.
Verizon has emerged as the LTE market leader in the U.S. with a 4G network that covers 200 million customers. Rival AT&T, the only other company to have built an LTE network in America, had reached 74 million people with its own 4G offerings as of the end of 2011.
According to Reuters, Apple intends the move to LTE to "tempt" customers into paying more to watch "high-quality video on the go." A 4G-capable iPad could potentially reach download speeds up to 10 times faster than current 3G models.
As Apple's media event has approached, some analysts have weighed in on the likelihood of an LTE iPad. Sterne Agee's Shaw Wu cited sources as saying Apple has made "notable progress" on improving battery life for 4G devices. A large percentage of LTE smartphones and tablets currently on the market have received negative feedback due to rapid battery drain when 4G is enabled.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said last year that the company had held off on introducing LTE because it required too many "design compromises." Next-generation chipsets from Qualcomm have reportedly addressed some of the issues that Apple had with the technology and may be ready for inclusion in the company's touchscreen tablet.
AppleInsider will have full, live coverage of Apple's media event, which takes place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.
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Comments
Oh yeah! I forgot about that rumour. This article certainly sways heavy that an LTE iPad will arrive tomorrow. So will it be the MDM9600 (45nm, no voice option) or MDM9615 (28nm, voice option) chip?
Hopefully the latter, otherwise the iPad 2 might as well have had LTE.
Hopefully the latter, otherwise the iPad 2 might as well have had LTE.
Plus the MDM9615 is likely the same chip (or one very similar) that will be used in the 6th gen iPhone. After the baseband firmware issues causing battery problems in the 4S vetting the iPads in real world situations for an assumed 6 months before the next iPhone launch date should help make it rock solid.
I'd even pay up to $100 more (yes, I know that many have been reporting a $79 increase across the line), but it would be GREAT if Apple with it's deep pockets uses this opprtunity to absolutely CRUSH any 10" form factor "competition" at the current price points.
Then onto kicking Jeff Bezos in the nuts over at Amazon With a 7"ish iPad just in time for back to school or before the holidays.
If Apple stores provide free wifi what would be the point of in store LTE exactly?
Err... to test drive LTE for potential customers, maybe... no?
Not everyone come to Apple Store just to use their wifi, you know?
So you can now watch your movie in fast forward.
Apple might even move to a subsidized pricing model.
No. Filler.
If Apple stores provide free wifi what would be the point of in store LTE exactly?
I think it is part of Apples partnership with the carriers. Apple wants visitors to have excellent cell coverage inside the their store both for voice and data. Many people already have iPhones in their pocket and if they receive or place a call Apple doesn't want calls dropped or poor data connections causing people to complain out loud about their user experience while inside the store, as that could adversely influence potential shoppers' buying decisions. The provided cell service comes with LTE.