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Verizon's Galaxy S4 the first (in US) to get 4.3? UPDATE-yes

S

s44

Diamond Member
This can't be right. Or maybe they really want to start selling the Galaxy Gear. (OK, maybe this finally turns on AWS.)
Verizon 10/28
AT&T 11/13
Sprint 10/30
T-Mobile 11/18
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(though of course T-Mo folks can just flash the i9505 version)
 
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Yeah, I bet it turns on AWS and it's the reason they want to get it out ASAP.

Because, otherwise, this isn't the way things usually work at all!
 
hanoverphist said:
whats AWS?
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A cellular frequency.

Verizon operates it's network on three frequencies right now. 850, commonly referred to as just 'cellular, 1900mhz, commonly referred to as PCS, and 700mhz c-block.

The 850 and 1900mhz networks are Verizon's legacy CDMA/EVDO systems they use for voice and 3G data. 700mhz Block C is the spectrum they bought at auction for LTE usage.

AWS refers to a combination of two cellular frequencies, 1700mhz and 2100mhz. The 1700mhz band is used for upload and 2100mhz for download.

Verizon purchased the rights to and has been rolling out AWS coverage in several of it's larger markets, where it's 700mhz LTE bandwidth may be too overloaded with users.

cronos said:
It's the frequencies used by T-Mobile US.
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Correct, but too vague. Even in the US, several companies hold AWS licenses. TMobile just happens to hold the most nationwide. Verizon purchased a ton of AWS spectrum and AT&T still holds some in about a dozen markets or so.

To put it in a little bit of perspective, Verizon spent more on AWS licenses than they did on their 700mhz C purchase. They spent less than 5b on 700mhz C, and spent about 6b on AWS licenses from the original auction in 2006 and the SpectrumCo buyout.
 
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bearxor said:
Correct, but too vague.
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But I did it in seven words compared to your novel. Ha! 😀

Anyway, I was just doing a drive-by reply there, and I realize now that my answer may confuse some people especially because this thread is about a Verizon device, so thanks for the detailed explanation!
 
s44 said:
This can't be right. Or maybe they really want to start selling the Galaxy Gear. (OK, maybe this finally turns on AWS.)
(though of course T-Mo folks can just flash the i9505 version)
Click to expand...

I attended a Verizon event today in Boston, a Samsung person was there to show us features of the Note 3 and Galaxy Gear, he said software updates could be expected this quarter 🙂 The Gear is actually quite slick!
 
Just for the record, I see no one has defined AWS as an acronym. It is, as Bearxor points out, a amalgamation of frequencies, and it stands for Advanced Wireless Services.
 
poofyhairguy said:
Even if I was I would have ROMed months ago. 🙂
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The ROM wouldn't have AWS modem support.

No one has actually *gotten* the OTA yet. Argh.

edit:
There's one guy on XDA who seems to be d/ling it. Now to get the modem...
 
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Weird that somehow they can get around the usual "samsung hands off the software update to the carrier, carrier either sits on it for a year or just deletes it" song and dance when they chose to.
 
They have it on their devices, but I believe it's only in use in a single market (Tulsa, was it?) where they don't have much 700.

Edit: just checked HoFo and they've started deploying not-very-wide AWS in LA. So I think yeah, they'll be turning on AWS here and there, but they never had much of it (Verizon has *tons*--more than T-Mobile), and IIRC had to sell/give some to T-mo as part of the merger failure settlement.

The next big development on the AT&T side is apparently refarming some of their huge PCS (1900) holdings to LTE. This will serve about the same function as AWS for Verizon--dense urban coverage that frees 700 for long-distance and deep-inside-buildings connections.

So look for PCS LTE if you want a more "future proof" AT&T device.
 
Isn't AT&T also preparing 2600 also?

1900 isn't going to be refarmed for a LONG time. It's still used for 3G right now.

You're safe on Band 17 or whatever AT&T uses for a long time. I wouldn't worry til the iPhone 7.
 
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