Hidden iPhone 5 Specs Suggest AT&T Could Be Planning Major Network Overhaul

POST

MAIL

Posted September 14, 2012 at 12:49am by iClarified

Hidden iPhone 5 specifications reveal that AT&T's version of the device supports two LTE bands not in use today.

Looking through testing documentation at the FCC, ExtremeTech's Neal Gompa found that the AT&T version of the iPhone 5 supports LTE on two unlisted bands: cellular and PCS. Those bands are currently used for the operators 2G and 3G networks.

GigaOm suggests that AT&T may be planning a massive overhaul of their network onto these bands.

It's puzzling that the new iPhone supports those frequencies today. European operators are a year away from having sizable LTE network on their 2.6 GHz spectrum, yet Apple nixed those frequencies from all its iPhones. Why would it make cellular and PCS such big exceptions?

Either AT&T has enormous pull with Apple, convincing to make an iPhone that work on networks years away from being deployed. Or AT&T is planning a massive reconfiguration of its networks in the next year, something akin to the major network overhaul T-Mobile is doing today.

What do you think? Could AT&T be planning to cannibalize its 2G and 3G networks to for LTE.

Read More

Hidden iPhone 5 Specs Suggest AT&T Could Be Planning Major Network Overhaul

Follow iClarified

Steve007 - September 16, 2012 at 7:13am

It's a certain thing AT&T is upgrading and introducing LTE next year, as this is a competitive move and pulls more data traffic and puts their service even more in focus and attention. Finally every phone will become true media device, and mobile office. Combined with cloud, makes all the sense in the world we mobilizowaÄ ..

Reply · Like

tdtran1025 - September 14, 2012 at 6:29am

True but not the whole picture. Remember the proposed marriage between ATT and TMoblie? After the failed attempt, both companies apply the same strategy going forward to gain spectrum. Now Tmobile is in good position to compete. I bet the farm that TMobile will traction with customers in 2013 when unlocked iPhone will be available for purchase. BYOP is their mantra.

Greg Hom - September 14, 2012 at 2:09am

I am a former AT&T store manager from Manhattan. About 4 months ago AT&T started sending letters to customers in the metro NYC area who were using 2G devices requiring them to come in and trade their old phones in for new 3G equipment. They were offered at no cost with out contract. They were told that if they did not come in by Aug the network they were on would be shut off and they would lose service. We as employees were told this was being done to free up bandwidth and spectrum.

ENDROID - September 14, 2012 at 1:51am

All I can say I don't give a fuck about LTE. I have a freaking 2GIG of data. Do you think I care? Give me the unlimited data plan back Its not going to help anyone . How is going to help people that have 2 Gig of data? I dont understand it???

justabrake - September 14, 2012 at 1:23am

All these years of stockpiling our money I'm sure they put it to use for a future plan, so I wouldn't be surprised this was a planned thing