Apple Doesn't Allow Carriers to Offer LTE iPhone 5 Before Approving Its Network

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Posted November 30, 2012 at 7:39pm by iClarified

Apple does not allow carriers to offer a LTE iPhone 5 until their network passes the company's independent tests, according to a Telecoms report.

Swisscom confirmed to the site that "Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator’s live network." Although the company launched its LTE network this week the iPhone 5 wasn't offered as an LTE device. "Apple will provide a software update in due course," the firm said in a press release.

Bengt Nordstrom, CEO of NorthStream says he was “shocked” when told about the policy. Nordstrom said it proved "who is running the industry" and noted that "Apple have put themselves in the driving seat; it’s really changing the game."

Alcatel Lucent CTO Marcus Weldon told Telecoms.com that, although Apple had got “a bit big for its boots”, the policy proves the importance of the network in the mobile experience.

Read More [via TNW]

Apple Doesn't Allow Carriers to Offer LTE iPhone 5 Before Approving Its Network

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Alejandro - December 1, 2012 at 5:00am

It's the same thing here in Mexico we got the phone on November 2, but we are running on 3.5G until Apple releases a update to the software to run on brand new Telcel LTE which is surprisingly fast. They said that the will get it from Apple on the first weeks in December.

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Joel - December 1, 2012 at 1:13am

Thats bs because how sprint pass the most slow data

Leggoman - November 30, 2012 at 11:07pm

I think this is great, apple say if your network is no good you can't have our phones. Wow may be you will be able to tell apple how bad a signal and service your getting on your iPhone 5 and if enough people say the same thing apple will make them fix it. How long have we paid and half the time you can't get a signal or its so low you can't do anything. Could this make providers beef up the networks and more cell masts? Give us what we pay for a network to use our phone on, and if you get low signal then give us signal boosters free. Well I can hope? I'm with three and at my home 400yards from a 3 mast I get 1bar sig. Can't use my phone at home.

Gwyneth - November 30, 2012 at 10:51pm

Now this deserves respect! Most phone companies only worry about selling their phones. A bad LTE network from any provider will make the iPhone or any other LTE phone seem bad too. Most unknowing people will blame the phone while it could be the provider's network or the phone or both. This is finally a phone company being loyal and responsible to its customers! Bravo Apple for the quality control, kudos to you :-)

m_thoroughbred - November 30, 2012 at 9:57pm

This shows the type of commitment Apple has to its customers. If the iPhone runs on a crappy network people won't only blame the network but the phone as well.

Bro - November 30, 2012 at 9:27pm

How did verizon and at&t pass lol

Mr.D - December 2, 2012 at 8:18pm

Apple needs ATT and VZW because they buy billions of dollars worth of equipment. All this BS about network is irrelevant when it comes to mak

Mr.D - December 2, 2012 at 8:20pm

Apple needs ATT and VZW because they buy billions of dollars worth of equipment. All this BS about network is irrelevant when such a large amount of money is at stake. This is a typical "Apple style" PR move to make fanboys believe that Apple cares about them. Rrright!!!

Copperhead - November 30, 2012 at 8:21pm

Wow phone carriers now have to obey Apple on its own network mainframe. Talk about Apple having balls... I did not know cell network providers had to do what ever Apple says. I thought cell providers are their own company and run their business their way as THEY see fit. No one make a move without Apple saying so, even if its not Apples owned business. Holy crap.

iEsMaNdAu - November 30, 2012 at 8:23pm

i used to said "Don't blame the phone, blame the carrier". I Think thats what Apple try to avoid... People blaming the phone instead of the guilty company with a crappy signal and speeds...

Annoyed - November 30, 2012 at 8:03pm

And AT

iEsMaNdAu - November 30, 2012 at 7:54pm

In Puerto Rico, Carrier "Claro" shipped the iPhone 5 since the launch date but without LTE. 2 weeks ago they launched finally their LTE Network and now they are waiting for Apple to Certify the LTE network so they can start swapping the Nano SIMS for LTE Nano SIMS