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Topic: Mobility

Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

Summary: The buying calculus for Nokia Windows Phones would change dramatically if there was only LTE support.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Nokia is working with Verizon and AT&T on a 4G Long-Term Evolution Lumia 800, but Microsoft's inability to support it with Windows Phone is a significant hurdle.

CNET News' Roger Cheng reports that Nokia is testing a Lumia 800 smartphone that can work on LTE. The problem: Windows Phone doesn't support LTE yet.

This phone would be a lot more interesting with LTE.

The bright side here is that Nokia realizes that time to market is critical and anything it can do to speed up an eventual LTE handset is critical. Today, all LTE phones are powered by Android. At Verizon, which has the most developed 4G LTE network,  anyone who wants speedy service has to stay with Android. Many of us---my Verizon contract just ended---want LTE and would gladly consider another option. In my view, the iPhone would be a no-brainer with LTE, but in the meantime I'd bump Android.

Here's how the buying calculus works for Nokia Windows Phones today vs. LTE.

Today:

  • Nice phone.
  • No. 2 OS in terms of quality, but market share small.
  • Do I want a two year contract on Microsoft's platform and a smartphone maker that has been unknown in the U.S.?
  • App selection.
  • 3G network.

Choice today: I have no interest in being a first mover with a Nokia Windows Phone and don't feel like being on 3G only for two years.

Today if Nokia had LTE:

  • Nice phone.
  • No. 2 OS in terms of quality, but market share small.
  • Fast LTE service.
  • Do I want a two year contract on Microsoft's platform and a smartphone maker that has been unknown in the U.S.? Maybe if it has the features I want.
  • App selection.

Choice with LTE: If both Android and Windows Phone supported LTE then the buying decision resembles those old Coke-Pepsi bake-off challenges. Windows Phone would win its share after a few force closes from Android. App selection is an issue, but Microsoft has enough (but would really need the SiriusXM app to win me over).

Microsoft hasn't officially said much about LTE support timing, but the day it launches Nokia better be there with a device on Verizon and AT&T. After all, the clock is ticking. Once Apple hits the market with a LTE iPhone it's game over and entrenched Android-iOS duopoly for years.

Related:

Topics: Mobility, Hardware, Wi-Fi, Verizon, Telcos, Software, Smartphones, Operating Systems, Nokia, Networking, Microsoft, Windows

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  • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

    Jesus, if I could get a LTE windows phone (a decent one) from VZW, I would drop my Driod (Lockup just for the hell of it) Charge in a second. I love LTE and I would not pass it up in a future purchase. I am eyeing some more advanced droids out there, but I am doing the wait and see what happens in a couple months.
    jahmekan
    Reply Vote

    • Same here

      @jahmekan Im not sure if I would like WP7 better, but an alternative would sure be nice. Maybe I'll give Nexus a try since its pure Android.

      We know Apple will release an LTE phone once LTE is ubiquitous. So maybe by next Fall we'll see an LTE iphone.
      otaddy
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

    I thought that Windows mobile phone 7 supported 4G? There is that HTC Radar 4G, or is that not a 4G phone?
    Rick_Kl
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

      @Rick_Kl <br><br>WP7 does support what T-Mobile calls 4G, but not LTE the 4G offered by Verizon, and now AT&T. I am guessing they are adding LTE support with Tango the WP7 update coming out this spring, and then it would make sense that they are testing LTE phones now.
      Shmythey
      Reply Vote

      • Hint: Verizon LTE is NOT 4G

        @Shmythey LTE does not meet the minimum requirements to be called 4G. That is why you don't see them calling it 4G in the ads.
        wackoae
        Reply Vote

      • ITU definition not relevant

        @wackoae It's a new radio interface, new all-IP core network. Therefore it qualifies to be called 4G and that's why the carriers and vendors refer to it as such.

        The ITU's arbitrary requirements have been superseded by reality. And who cares what they say anyways, my 4G connection is still much faster than 3G.

        Likewise, I see plenty of adds from Verizon which mention 4G.
        otaddy
        Reply Vote

  • Windows Phone is already the #1 mobile OS for quality. Both in terms of

    security and reliability. So you're VERY WRONG in stating that it's #2. Second what os do you think AT&T and Verizon are testing the LTE Nokia's with? Thirdly Nokia is not an unknown is the US. They may not have a big smartphone presence but that's not important. They are well know and known for high quality. That's all that will matter, especially because the vast majority of the market still doesn't have smartphones. And todays android smartphone users either dont even know what os their phone has or are very anxious to switch to something different. If Nokia comes out with even half the advertising that the android phones have they'll have no trouble grabbing lots of US market share.
    Johnny Vegas
    Reply Vote

    • It's possible

      @Johnny Vegas MS really needs to speed things up. They have an opportunity to grab some market share with an LTE phone now...once the lte iphone comes out, they will have a hard time.

      For many of us, we are using Android because its the only 4G game in town...
      otaddy
      Reply Vote

    • O-Ee-yah Eoh-ah

      Windows Phone is #1! Yay Windows Phone! It's the bestest most wonderfulest phone OS ever!

      C'mon, Microsoft has an ad budget that's a 9- or 10-digit number. Why do we have to put up with you trying to spam the forums for free? ZDNet ought to charge you for posting ads.
      Robert Hahn
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Robert Hahn I have a Windows phone; and it IS better!
        dveed@...
        Reply Vote

      • Reply to dveed.

        @dveed ... What Anti-Virus do you use on it?<br><br>Just make sure you don't use it for any financial transactions.<br><br>Android does not need AV.<br><br>I've been using Linux for 9 years and I would avoid using Windows for financial transactions or online banking like the plague. Any Windows is not secure. -- their source code is not secure, there's more profit in it for them that way.
        Joe.Smetona
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Robert Hahn
        Windows phone is by far the most #1 OS for quality. What shill wrote this garbage?
        kstap
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Joe. Considering the recentl spate of malware, spyware and other nasties found in 'droid based devices, I'd be VERY cautious about making claims that 'droid is immune to malware.

        And asking what anti-malware a user of a phone with no known malware (to date) is using? That's just silly.

        All computing devices do/will have malware/vulnerability issues at some point. Even Linux. Believing otherwise is just pure stupidity.
        bitcrazed
        Reply Vote

      • On the contrary....

        @Joe.Smetona It is android that is increasingly needing some kind of end point protection - note I do not use the term "anti-virus" because almost all malware these days (even on Windows PC's) are NOT viruses. But there have been a number of news items of late related to malware on Android and yes, iPhone too. With a much smaller market share than iOS or Android, Windows phone is currently the smaller and less attractive target for the bad guys.

        The Apple Vs Windows Vs Linux flame wars are soooooo, sooooo old. Give it a rest.
        cornpie
        Reply Vote

      • Duplicate Post, deleted

        Duplicate post, deleted.
        Joe.Smetona
        Reply Vote

      • Reply to Cornpie.

        @cornpie ... Android has not shown any indication of falling sales due to the malware accusations provided by the shills here. It's because what is there, is a result of owners installing apps from non trusted sources. The Android uses the Linux kernel, so access to high level operations is limited the same way my Linux is. And, I've been using Linux for 9 years, without AV and without any issues. I don't install programs from untrusted sources. I'm sure any complaint about Android having spyware or abhorrent operation is quickly met by "it's not an approve app" by the customer service department.<br><br>If you study their responses, it becomes apparent they are operating as "mini propaganda artists", targeting the less informed or non-technical audience with misinformation, especially attacking WalMart, which is proof positive they are shilling. Everything I've seen regarding Android had to do with rogue apps being installed. If people want to do that, they are trusting the application provider for quality. If the trust is misplaced, they are going to suffer to some degree. All the shills addressed know that, but in the effort to get more bang for the buck are trying to make more of it for theatrical purposes -the penalty is disinformation to some of the readers. Their propaganda techniques are as old as dirt.<br><br>As far as some external program to help with this, I don't see the need because it's not going to stop user operations that were initially approved by the user. It the menacing operation is spyware, or tracking, the customer may even want to put up with it because they like or want to keep the app.<br><br>As far as flame wars, Microsoft is mounting an all out media blitz to sell their smartphones. Windows phone is not going to be any better designed than their other operating systems. If you carefully look at these posts and especially Ed Bott's articles and their posts, they are just infomercials. It's just like watching NCIS LA and seeing Windows logos and phones shoved in your face every 5 minutes. It's distracting and so very obvious. Most quality programming disguises the manufacturer or won't accept inserting that type of paid advertising into a TV series. Microsoft always takes the low road. I have had many, many non-offensive posts inexplicably deleted on ZDNet because they hit sensitive nerves. ZDNet and some posters are totally aligned with promoting Microsoft.
        Joe.Smetona
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Robert Hahn I'm an Android user but for my 2nd phone bought an HTC Radar WP7.5 a few days ago. It's been just a few days but I've fallen in love with the OS. It's smooth, elegant, simple and intuitive!
        petin_y@...
        Reply Vote

    • That's why it's such a great seller at WalMart.

      @Johnny Vegas ... But, funny, when I see a Walmart sales circular, all they have is one page of smartphones. And all nine are Android. Walmart is no. 1 in the Fortune 500, second to none. I'm sure they know what they are doing avoiding Microsoft completely.
      Joe.Smetona
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Joe.Smetona
        funny you're enjoying your "malwared" phone, the worst ever
        ozinanoypi
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Without 4G pronto, Nokia's Windows Phones are hampered in U.S.

        @Joe.Smetona - Wal Mart ... you mean the retail superstore chain that focuses entirely on offering the cheapest products possible at the lowest prices possible? The same WalMart that discontinued sales of PC's preinstalled with Linux because even WalMart's customers didn't buy them?

        Right.
        bitcrazed
        Reply Vote
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