Verizon selects SIM card provider for LTE

**bartolo5** · 05-13-2009, 01:55 AM

Well, maybe Verizon will use regular SIM cards after all.

Check out these news that came out today where it's being announced not only the use of Verizon of the SIM cards in their LTE network but also what the provider of the SIM cards will be.

Also interesting from the article the comments that Verizon's VP of product development makes in the press release:

"As we build the global LTE ecosystem, we selected G&D for its demonstrated ability to quickly bring these advanced SIM cards and services to market.”

Seems like Verizon has his eyes set on truly global compatibility starting with its LTE efforts which is pretty exciting if you ask me.

http://newsticker.welt.de/?module=smarthouse&id=887716

**xmguy** · 05-13-2009, 10:35 AM

What CDMA Sim cards. VZW isn't going to dump CDMA.

**Network 10** · 05-13-2009, 11:41 AM

I have never seen a wireless telecommunications corporation more ambitious with their network infrastructure deployment plans.

**tearsonurcheek** · 05-13-2009, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by xmguy

What CDMA Sim cards. VZW isn't going to dump CDMA.

And the OP didn't say anything about CDMA. This article/thread is about the upcoming LTE network.

**bartolo5** · 05-13-2009, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Network 10

I have never seen a wireless telecommunications corporation more ambitious with their network infrastructure deployment plans.

Seems like it. I'm currently an at&t customer and I'm following Verizon's LTE doings closely. I've been with at&t many years but I've reached the conclusion that either they are not very serious when it comes to having a stable and pervasive network footprint. Here where I live in the San Francisco bay area at&t still has a lot of holes both in GSM and 3G all over the place, and they haven't been fixed in many many years since they started service. Their service has always been shaky at times in voice and data.

Because I don't think they lack the resources to build out a better network, I just can think that what they have currently works good enough for them to keep customers and they have no genuine interest in working to provide better service.

I'm only interested in GSM providers due to phone interoperability between carriers (in the US and Europe) so that's what I'm following all these developments closely.

**bartolo5** · 05-13-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by xmguy

What CDMA Sim cards. VZW isn't going to dump CDMA.

Verizon LTE devices will have SIM cards, and they will also have CDMA support. The SIM cards will be used only for the LTE/GSM side.

**MrSpock2002** · 05-13-2009, 03:20 PM

Verizon Wireless has a right to be ambitious with their network doings. They have the best network and coverage in the United States and they know it. They have the money to dump billions into their network while Sprint and AT&T doesn't.

**FL1134** · 05-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Network 10

I have never seen a wireless telecommunications corporation more ambiguous with their network infrastructure deployment plans.

Fixed that. Still lacking any concrete confirmation that you will be able to use unbranded LTE handsets. Getting a device "approved" is the same as not having a SIM, IMHO.

Either way this is another nail in the corporate, commissioned sales and CS positions at VZW. The UICC is transferring contacts, provisioning the phone, etc. Things other people had to do.

# Secure storage of personal content - The UICC now stores up to 2GB of personal content for your user’s pleasure

http://www.gemalto.com/uicc_role/index.html

I'm willing to get there will be no storage access.

**jboidc** · 05-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by FL1134

Fixed that. Still lacking any concrete confirmation that you will be able to use unbranded LTE handsets. Getting a device "approved" is the same as not having a SIM, IMHO.

Either way this is another nail in the corporate, commissioned sales and CS positions at VZW. The UICC is transferring contacts, provisioning the phone, etc. Things other people had to do.

http://www.gemalto.com/uicc_role/index.html

I'm willing to get there will be no storage access.

To be fair, handsets isn't network infrastructure deployment.

**WaltA** · 05-13-2009, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by bartolo5

Verizon LTE devices will have SIM cards, and they will also have CDMA support. The SIM cards will be used only for the LTE/GSM side.

Possibly this is what you meant. I can foresee VZW having CDMA/LTE hybrid phones, and eventually LTE only, but never CDMA/LTE/GSM phones.

**Barciur** · 05-13-2009, 05:21 PM

I just don't get one thing - if you will have to get device approved, how are they going to get roaming?

**CharlesH** · 05-13-2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by WaltA

Possibly this is what you meant. I can foresee VZW having CDMA/LTE hybrid phones, and eventually LTE only, but never CDMA/LTE/GSM phones.

We currently have CDMA/EV-DO + GSM/HSDPA phones from Verizon (such as the Storm). Why not have one that adds LTE to this list?

**sodomojo** · 05-13-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by FL1134

Fixed that. Still lacking any concrete confirmation that you will be able to use unbranded LTE handsets. Getting a device "approved" is the same as not having a SIM, IMHO.

Either way this is another nail in the corporate, commissioned sales and CS positions at VZW. The UICC is transferring contacts, provisioning the phone, etc. Things other people had to do.

http://www.gemalto.com/uicc_role/index.html

I'm willing to get there will be no storage access.

So you throw a giant hissy about them possibly not having SIM Cards, and when they announce they are going to, it still isn't good enough?

**hwertz** · 05-13-2009, 07:29 PM

What CDMA Sim cards.

There ARE CDMA SIM cards, they are called a RUIM. I have heard they're used by a few providers, China Telecom, in India and a few other places. But this article's about *LTE* SIM cards. LTE, Verizon and Vodafone just have a few prototype networks running but plan to start deploying by next year.

VZW isn't going to dump CDMA.

No they aren't, I expect them to keep it running a good long time. BUT, they are deploying LTE, and this announces that they *are* using SIM cards for LTE.
Which is good news.. both GSM/UMTS and CDMA providers are looking to LTE as their future technology (except Sprint which is going Wimax....) LTE has both SIM and no SIM options like CDMA, luckily Verizon decided to go for maximum compatibility by using a SIM.