Verizon working on Voice over Rev A, would match AT&T's HSPA 3G network

posted by Alan F. / Oct 09, 2010, 10:18 PM

This article contains unofficial information.

Verizon working on Voice over Rev A, would match AT&T's HSPA 3G network

Despite recent stories in the WSJ and N.Y. Times about the Apple iPhone coming to Verizon, certain drawbacks in Big Red's CDMA technology made some uncertain whether or not to believe the reports. As you might know from the old television spots, iPhone users can talk and surf at the same time on Wi-Fi or on AT&T's HSPA pipeline. Verizon customers can also do both, but on Wi-Fi only. One Verizon executive says that Big Red is close to a breakthrough that will eliminate the disparity.

Verizon executive Brian Higgins says that the carrier is working on a way to allow EV-DO 3G connections to handle voice and data at the same time. While there is no time frame fo when we might see this accomplished, the so-called Voice over Revision A (VoRA) would allow voice to be transmitted back and forth alongside data similar to what AT&T and T-Mobile can do with their HSPA 3G network. Some Verizon models like the BlackBerry Tour and the G'zOne Ravine already use EV-DO for PTT functions.

source: electronista

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31 Comments

1. ajac09

Posts: 1482; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

eh why bother lte will let you do it... and no current handset wil let you take advantage of it so verizon is risking having to make SVDO and lte phones?!?!

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:49 AM 0

2. BobbyTaba

Posts: 316; Member since: Aug 11, 2010

Theyll still make 3g phones for a few more years

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 12:59 AM 0

10. tomorrowisnow unregistered

The real story hear is that VZW's hull has cracked for the first time. VZW has always played the game of network chess very well and maintained a lead of 3 moves's ahead of every opponent. VZW is now faced with the quandary of running two networks simultaneously. VoRA requires separate transmission than voice plus EVDO. This will prospect VZW to maintain three separate networks. VZW like Rome, has conquered the world, but it will not be able to service its outposts effectively and will soon have to fallback.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:57 AM 0

12. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

...What? This isn't a game of Risk homey. I'm sure VZW will be able to handle it; I mean, their the most expensive carrier for a reason, aren't they?

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 2:39 PM 0

15. tomorrowisnow unregistered

If sound bites made reality, then the housing bubble wouldn't have happened. The same goes for VZW. Behind the shiny Droid and iPhone rumor headlines are VZW financials. VZW has a debt obligation that rivals that of some small nations. Due to their lock-tight network image and their ARPU miracles, VZW has been able to access the credit line of the Count of Monte Cristo. In order to keep that line open and creditors from thinking twice, they have to constantly accelerate their products and "innovations" at a quicker and quicker pace. Have you noticed that their "flagship" phone offerings over the last five years or so have been on an exponential and not linear scale? This has allowed them to increase ARPU and subscriber growth to keep the credit line. However, the timeline for the 2 year contract has remained the same and the retail price of a handset has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. VZW is running out of a current subscriber based it can renew, pure (customer currently doesn't have a cell) activations are all but dead, and the advertising dollars needed to convince a single subscriber to switch from a competitor to VZW is now almost equal to the revenue that subscriber would generate. While retail sales are a cash cow from accessories and monthly subscriptions that the consumer is dazzled by and pays month after month without using much more than the first couple of weeks, the lifeblood of any US cell company is the business base. Retail dollars are soft dollars that fund experimental projects. Business dollars are hard dollars that fund the operations of the company. VZW is churning business reps faster than a McDonald's move customers through the drive-thru. The business accounts are gone. Remember the VZW commercials for getting every Ma and Pa business a Blackberry and a BES? That was their last attempt to increase the business funnel. VZW is at a crescendo for a perfect storm. They won't be able to maintain three separate and fully functioning networks and meet their debt obligations. They are going to try and charge an arm and a leg for LTE to counteract this. This is why they got pissed at ATT when ATT announced $15 200MB smartphone plans. They said that ATT "didn't value their data". Consumers and businesses won't pay the outrageous prices VZW is going to charge for LTE. Harbringer knows this with its new LightSquared wholesale network and Sprint has already been through the storm once as has ATT. So only if their sound bites and your quip could save VZW. Rep Barney Frank gave some soundbites about the housing bubble and his couldn't save us from the crisis. The telecommunications game is a zero-sum game; it is a game of Risk. Get a good seat for the fireworks because it is going to be a good show.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 7:20 PM 0

18. lolipopjones

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 21, 2009

You sir are very correct and its unfortunate this place is so saturated with fanbois to see the truth you say. VzW financially is in a horrible horrible poisition with its debt. People do not understand is VzW nearly bankrupted itself to create the network they made and will be driving itself further into debt. The most interesting issue with VzW is the fact they have not been able to pay their royalty dues to Vodafone because of their debt and Vodafone allowing them to do that. When the recession started VzW gasped in horror when Vodafone announced that they may require VzW to pay royalties owed and had been holding back on recalling those payments due to VzW's iffy financial status. What has saved VzW so far is the fact they are not a publicly traded company which allows them the ability to withhold their financial status.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 11:04 AM 0

20. VZWbamf

Posts: 61; Member since: Oct 11, 2009

Can you guys fill us in on where you are getting all this info on VZW's debt? While you both seem very knowledgable and I mostly agree with the points you are making, I'm not sure if your info is credible. Last I heard, VZW has around $18BIL in profits from last years revenue after all the bills where paid. I do know they have quite a bit of debt, but your making it sound like they're about to collapse under that debt. Just wanted some more clarification. Thanks.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 4:39 PM 0

24. uofmrules

Posts: 48; Member since: Oct 11, 2010

They sound smart, but are actually talking out the ass. They probably both vote democrat and think that the Goverment should be running Verizon. Which it shouldn't run anything.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 7:54 PM 0

25. tomorrowisnow unregistered

Here is a public story from a reputable news outlet (Boston Globe via Bloomberg) that outlines Verizon's (Verizon and Verizon Wireless are now the same for all intents and purposes) $65 billion in debt, its decline in activations, and its negative outlook recommendation (S&P).http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/08/21/verizon_plans_to_cut_debt_20b_in_two_years/ This should suffice for your interests.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 9:50 PM 0

26. tomorrowisnow unregistered

What they mean by "bills paid" is short term debt and debt payment obligations, not the long term debt, total debt owed, or debt obligations. VZW was built in an era of easy credit. It is very difficult to pay back easy credit in lean times.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 9:56 PM 0

27. tomorrowisnow unregistered

uofmrules, Go back to the playhouse and leave the intelligent discussion to the grownups.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 9:57 PM 0

28. uofmrules

Posts: 48; Member since: Oct 11, 2010

The intelligent conversation? You can't even register as a user, yet you always post like you know it all. Last I checked every company has debts, that doesn't mean they will fall. Not to mention your article won't pull up. And if just reading the URl you posted, cutting debt by 20B in two years doesn't sound bad to me. But hey, you're the one who probably thinks the government should step in and run Verizon (into the ground). Please keep talking out of your ass, its fun to watch.

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 9:19 AM 0

29. narley21 unregistered

verizon communications and verizon wireless are sister companies. Why do you assume because communications is in debt that wireless also is????? oh that's right because its an assumption and based off nothing.

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 2:52 PM 0

30. tomorrowisnow unregistered

Verizon owns the majority stake in Verizon Wireless and since Verizon Wireless is not a public company, VZW's debt is VZ's debt. Their executive structure is also being consolidated into one. Research before you speak.

posted on Oct 12, 2010, 3:09 PM 0

31. uofmrules

Posts: 48; Member since: Oct 11, 2010

How about you. I assume you're going to base your argument of the article you posted from August 2009; about 3 months after they bought out Alltel. Last I checked whenever you buy out a company your debt goes up. Not to mention Alltel was in poor financial shape so Verizon wireless assumes that as well. So All you're doing to making an assumption. One that has no real backing, because If Verizon wireless was in such poor financial situation they wouldn't have been able to buy Alltel. Private or not a company can't just go by another one without financials coming into play. So it looks like you're the one who needs to research before he speaks.

posted on Oct 13, 2010, 10:38 AM 0

3. tiffanywilliams unregistered

finally its about time i know sprint has had this since they took out the evo because i have an evo and i live in los angeles Were there is no sprint 4G at all :'( ( still waiting for it) ............ well anyways ive always thought it was weird that i could make calls over sprints 3G cdma network and no im not using wifi i can make perfect video calls when i have 3g which at first i didnt get because i know for a fact ive done my research and found out that in order to make a video u need to use voice and data at the same time which i thought would be impossible on sprints cdma network because i have heard my whole life since i first got sprint back in 08 that video calls would be impossible to do on a cdma network so when i found out they worked flawlessly on sprints 3G i was confused also when im using the internet and a call comes tru i can put the call on speaker and be using the internet ,. so i thought if sprint could do it why no verizon? if they both use cdma? hopefully when verizon allows voice and data over 3G like sprint hopefully they take out phones with ffc for video calling .

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 2:18 AM 0

4. Fanboykiller unregistered

My best advice for you don't do drugs it will make u see pink elefants...!!!!

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 4:28 AM 0

6. 704richboy unregistered

Yeah she's a complete ass. Video Chat uses data only...the same way u video chat on the computer with NO voice service is how video chat on Sprint's network is available. Get a clue bitch

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:12 AM 0

7. skymitch89 unregistered

From what I've heard, you can make calls and use data on Sprint's 4G network, but the only way you can use data and make calls on Sprint 3G is if you are connected to WiFi.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:23 AM 0

9. T-Mobile Rep unregistered

If your on WiFi then your not using data on Sprint's 3G network now are you Mitch...??? Hell I can video chat on my old Evo even though its not longer in service because guess what Tiffany..? Video Chat doesn't use VOICE!!!

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:31 AM 0

5. theGodpapa

Posts: 181; Member since: Dec 15, 2009

I agree with Fanboykiller.....dont do drugs Tiffany. I have used an evo on Sprint and now on Verizon and it doesnt make phone calls and get on the net at the same time.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:06 AM 0

8. skymitch89 unregistered

With Sprint you can connect to WiFi and make voice calls at the same time, but not on 3G.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:24 AM 0

13. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

WOW!

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 2:41 PM 0

11. Gawain

Posts: 441; Member since: Apr 15, 2010

Isn't there a natural migration that Verizon could make from EV-DO ("Data Only") to EV-DV ("Data and Voice") on their existing framework? I suppose Qualcomm would have to dust off some old work to get that moving forward. There's hardly a breakthrough as the article mentioned. When the standard was being tested, EV-DV was a hot item, but the hardware wasn't there yet. Back during the conversion, I understand if EV-DV was not an attractive option due to equipment availability, etc. Given that, even EV-DO Rev. A can support VoIP, that's how Sprint's and VZW's new PTT is used.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 10:59 AM 0

16. tomorrowisnow unregistered

EVDO A can support snippets of VoIP that enables the PTT. The same technology would not be able to handle the data load of long conversations of VoIP.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 7:26 PM 0

14. spelingbecham unregistered

i'm reely exsited abut all the greate speling and gramar i find on heer evereebodey haas the bestest punktoation to. im onlee 11 bot i hoepe too bee as goode as tomorrowisnow in pointeing aout that "the story hear" is insted of "the story here" and "moves's" insted of "moves" or lyke tiffanywilliams " los angeles Were there is no sprint 4G" insted of "Los Angeles where there is no Sprint 4G" or fanboykiller "elefant" insted of "elephant" i woent even get into the amayzing use of apostrafees on heere.

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 6:49 PM 0

17. Cadeon unregistered

How about we don't give a D*** what you spelling nazis think!

posted on Oct 10, 2010, 8:32 PM 0

21. VZWbamf

Posts: 61; Member since: Oct 11, 2009

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 4:42 PM 0

22. XxVerbalxX unregistered

This is a phone website, not a term paper or anything im going to present at work. I'm not going to use a spell check, im going to ramble as much as i want, and im only going to punctuate correctly once in a while. welcome to the internet. Now stfu.

posted on Oct 11, 2010, 5:20 PM 0

19. CRICKETownz

Posts: 980; Member since: Oct 24, 2009

A lot of theories floatin around here from bloggers (unregistered at that). in reference to Verizon Wireless' "demise"...maybe...maybe not...but i always find it hilarious that individuals who are never affiliated with the process whether it be a company or government always have ALL the answers about their fate but when you look into their lives they have nothin of importance goin on. now im not sayin VZW is above failure but i mean i see some pretty weighty forecasts bein made from those who dont hold any keys to VZW's outcome. its the same old crabs in a barrel mentality...ppl hate to see someone on top. Prices...prices...prices are always the consumers' beefs with VZW...but its a choice. its not like ppl are entering into an agreement blindly with VZW. VZW doesnt hold a gun to anyones head...well maybe a few lol but over 90 million subscribers? everyone wants to be ms. cleo to the wireless industry but talk is cheap (as well as text). lets sit back and let the big boys handle things and stop side-seat drivin