Apple requires its own tests to ensure carrier LTE networks are up to snuff

AppleInsider · November 30, 2012 2:20PM

Apple will only allow a carrier to offer the iPhone 5 on their LTE network after the company conducts its own tests of the wireless service, one carrier has revealed.

Apple's strict quality control methods were revealed to Telecoms.com (via The Next Web) by a spokesperson for Swisscom. They indicated that Apple will only enable 4G LTE access on the iPhone 5 after testing the device on a carrier's live, working network.

Swisscom launched its LTE 4G network this week, but Apple's iPhone 5 is not yet able to run on the carrier's network. That's because Apple must push out an update enabling the LTE connectivity.

Apple is expected to provide users of Swisscom with a software update to enable LTE connectivity in "due course," but a timeframe has not yet been given.

The strict control maintained by Apple "shocked" Bengt Nordstrom, head of an industry consultancy group named NorthStream. In a conversation with Telecoms.com, he said carriers' willingness to concede such control to Apple shows "who is running the industry."

Apple gave the press and members of the public a glimpse at its extensive retesting testing process in 2010 in response to the so-called "antenna-gate" that surrounded the launch of the iPhone 4. In a video posted on its website, Apple showed off an inside look at its antenna design and test labs, while members of the press were also given a tour of the facilities.

"Apple has invested more than $100 million building its advanced antenna design and test labs," the company said in 2010. "Our engineers have logged thousands of hours designing and testing iPhone 4 in these state-of-the-art facilities."

While Apple has shown its extensive in-house testing, the information from Swisscom shows that the company also takes seriously its carrier partners' ability to offer customers the expected level of performance from their LTE networks.

philboogie · November 30, 2012 2:31PM

Makes me wonder if they've disabled LTE on my 5 as there is no LTE where I live, apart from a small testing area. Fortunately the license has been auctioned in the end of October, but that doesn't mean we'll get LTE in the next couple o' months. Especially considering our crappy telcos over here in The Netherlands.

lord amhran · November 30, 2012 2:32PM

As opposed to manufacturers of Android phones which could care less about the quality of their product and are more concerned with market share.

waldobushman · November 30, 2012 2:44PM

I can't image Apple not doing this testing. If they promise certain functionality, and put it in their advertising, guess who gets sued if the functionality they promised isn't available? Apple has lost several legal suits just on this point just this year.

Then Apple has a contract with the providers, and I would suspect the providers must deliver what they promised to Apple under their contract. Again, due diligence says test and verify.

Apple has also experienced less than ideal performance on some providers' network. Best for Apple to verify and/or discover and fix before having to deal with the downside of their iPhone not performing up to standards.

jsteers · November 30, 2012 2:52PM

Ironically their "quality control" is so great there are still scuffed up iphone 5s being sold. I love apple but c'mon

suddenly newton · November 30, 2012 2:56PM

So. The carriers are shocked that they're not in the driver's seat? After years of creating their own walled stores, branded services, locked down SIM cards, limited firmware updates, and custom phones preloaded with carrier-specific shovelware, they're shocked that Apple is raising the bar and requiring them to live up to it?

splash-reverse · November 30, 2012 3:07PM

I am with Apple. Why do this Nordstrom dude be shocked. The tighter the ship the smooth it will sail, PERIOD

mjtomlin · November 30, 2012 3:08PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilBoogie

Makes me wonder if they've disabled LTE on my 5 as there is no LTE where I live, apart from a small testing area. Fortunately the license has been auctioned in the end of October, but that doesn't mean we'll get LTE in the next couple o' months. Especially considering our crappy telcos over here in The Netherlands.

Disabling would be network wide, not just in your area. So if the carrier's network can pass Apple's test in an "available" area, then it would not be disabled on your iPhone. Mobile phones are, mobile, so you may move around and visit an area where you could access LTE.

mjtomlin · November 30, 2012 3:11PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteers

Ironically their "quality control" is so great there are still scuffed up iphone 5s being sold. I love apple but c'mon

Must be difficult to be perfect and have to live in reality with the rest of us? You, I do not envy.

jsteers · November 30, 2012 3:31PM

No one is perfect. However when you pay 300 dollars for a phone, there shouldn't be a 3/4 of an inch scratch on the back where paint is obviously already coming off. So please, stop being a troll and go die.

briancpa · November 30, 2012 3:41PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteers

No one is perfect. However when you pay 300 dollars for a phone, there shouldn't be a 3/4 of an inch scratch on the back where paint is obviously already coming off. So please, stop being a troll and go die.

hahahahahahahaha. Idiot

petrosy · November 30, 2012 4:22PM

They doing this to avoid the embarrassment like in Australia when their 4g iPad did not work on the local network. They tried to smooth the fault over by saying Australia's 3g network is as fast as 4g in the US. The competition board did not agree and they had to offer refunds to those that wanted and admit the error. So according to Apple getting a hand job is the same as being laid....nice try.

So now they covering their bases by disabling a feature instead of integrating a radio that supports more variations. It's like having a fast
car with the handbrake on

fireside · November 30, 2012 4:43PM

These are Apple's new entrees at its world famous "You Are Stuck With Us Almost Forever Maybe" restaurant:

1. "Apple is never to blame menu."

2. "Apple is always perfect menu."

3. "It's always the customers or the service provider's fault menu."

4. "Apple will fire one imperfect executive every month menu.'"

5. "Apple iGadget User Forever menu: We are not just customers, we are also stockholders."

6. "The Chinese have signed an exclusive agreement to become the source of Apple's future growth menu."

The "Cook" is in full swing in Apple's kitchen to spew more innovative and breakthrough recipes, later to be patented at USPTO.

p.s. about entree no 5, you can throw away all the objectivities..., just pump, pump and pump!!

flash_beezy · November 30, 2012 5:01PM

jsteers wrote: »

No one is perfect. However when you pay 300 dollars for a phone, there shouldn't be a 3/4 of an inch scratch on the back where paint is obviously already coming off. So please, stop being a troll and go die.

$300? That's cheap.

I paid almost $700