Vodafone (VOD) CEO Vittorio Colao isn't crazy about 4G: during his company's Q4 earnings call,...

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Matt-Man Comments (281)
 
4G is still lacking full voice support so it needs 2G/3G for voice. This is complicated and expensive. Next year 4G has it all: cheaper, faster and ready for big time.


8 Feb, 02:49 PM Reply Like

stevewcpa Comments (7)
 
If he tried my 3G iPhone next to my 4g iPad, he would sign himself in to the looney bin.
8 Feb, 05:15 PM Reply Like

Matt-Man Comments (281)
 
iPhone 3G has maximum theoretical DL speed of 3.6Mbi/sec.
Using iPhone5/iPad4 _3G_ maximum theoretical DL speed is 42Mbit/s

In 4G both maximum theoretical DL is 100Mbit/s, in practice quite a bit less.

Maybe he is bit more informed about networks than you after all.
8 Feb, 07:15 PM Reply Like

adrian816 Comments (132)
 
How useful is 4G anyway? Fixed-line broadband is usually gives consistent performance, free wifi (Mcdonalds / Starbucks) when you stop for food. On those occasions when you need access you'll probably be lucky to get 3G speed anyway unless the signals so bad you only get EDGE speed. And you have to pay extra just for the chance that your download speed for the tiny quantities of data that smartphone apps or mobile versions of websites is a half a second quicker.
10 Feb, 12:45 AM Reply Like

Matt-Man Comments (281)
 
LTE does have key advantages, lower latency and higher spectrum efficiency. With LTE operator can serve more customers in same spectrum compared to 3G. But there is still some work to be done in voice service to get all things covered.
10 Feb, 12:36 PM Reply Like

diadochi Comments (145)
 
I've been using 4g LTE for several months. Its now the major determinant to which provider I'm with. No or little 4g? No business.
10 Feb, 12:40 PM Reply Like

Veritas1010 Comments (726)
 
I don't normally like resorting to cliches but: "get with the program".

It is ridiculous and counter-intuitive to 'fight technology'. Either you meet and exceed the new standard or at best you are relegated to the historical ash can often refereed to in various pieces of literature.

VOD is almost (key word 'almost') to big to fail. None the less poor management skills starting at the top are just another piece of specialized corporate history when it comes to this international behemoth.

I'm long VOD, but I wish management would in the immortal words of Archie Bunker, "dummy-up". Until then I find other places to invest funds more prudently.
10 Feb, 08:02 PM Reply Like

Matt-Man Comments (281)
 
Building 4G network today is expensive, building it next year is cheaper. Risk and reward
11 Feb, 12:05 PM Reply Like

Derek A. Barrett Comments (2993)
 
Sorry guys, can you educate me on why it's cheaper next year? I'm noob at mobile transmission technology so don't know, is there some new hardware, firmware, or software coming out that makes it cheaper?

Long VOD
12 Feb, 12:23 AM Reply Like

Matt-Man Comments (281)
 
Same way as any new electronic device is cheaper next year. But in addition telecom development cost are very high, R&D eats a lot of resources from the vendors compared to most other business. So new technology has to have a premium price. When tech get more mature, most cost have been paid by early adapters (like US/Japan/Korea markets today), volume of deliveries get higher and end product gets cheaper.

So 4G network will be cheaper next year for VOD to deploy.
If VOD competition does not heavily invest to 4G in certain market, it is better for VOD to wait as well. Long in VOD as well
12 Feb, 02:00 PM Reply Like

Derek A. Barrett Comments (2993)
 
Good stuff Matt-Man, thanks for the explanation.
12 Feb, 03:13 PM Reply Like