Intel Corp (INTC)

[jfine]

Good news for Intel's LTE modems

http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/188756-verizons-volte-rollout-will-kill-off-cdma-and-allow-unlocked-lte-phones-too

Verizon’s VoLTE rollout will kill off CDMA – and allow unlocked LTE phones, too
By Neal Gompa on August 27, 2014 at 1:55 pm

"On Tuesday, Verizon announced that it will launch HD Voice over LTE in the coming weeks. With this launch, Verizon is taking the first step toward shedding CDMA2000 as its primary network platform."

"...Over the last few years, Verizon has rapidly deployed LTE on its Upper 700MHz C block (LTE Band 13) spectrum throughout the country. Assisted in part by its LTE in Rural America program, Verizon has matched its CDMA EvDO footprint with LTE, and has very nearly matched its CDMA 1X footprint."

"Provided that the device is loaded with the requisite VoLTE software, any unlocked LTE phone with compatible bands will work. That means phones like the Sony Xperia Z2 (which supports Verizon’s LTE network on 700MHz and AWS but lacks support for the CDMA network) would be able to make calls on Verizon’s network once a software update by Sony is made to add VoLTE software to the phone. Phones that support VoLTE and support AWS (LTE band 4) would be able to work on Verizon’s AWS LTE network (primarily from spectrum acquired from the cable companies and branded XLTE), but not everywhere (since the primary band for Verizon LTE is on 700MHz Band 13).
This is a huge deal, as once VoLTE is available, all the shackles that Verizon has historically imposed on consumers in terms of device selection are effectively gone. It is only a matter of time before phone manufacturers pick up on this and start releasing unlocked phones capable of using Verizon’s VoLTE system. And most importantly, Verizon can now start rolling out phones that do not support its CDMA network, as it has for tablets for nearly a year now."