Vodacom's LTE is 4G statements

[rpm]

Vodacom starting to punt LTE is 4G - wonder what they will call LTE Advanced? (maybe 4G Plus?)

Vodacom brings world-class mobile internet to Lesotho

Vodacom has launched the superfast Long Term Evolution (LTE) service in Lesotho, bringing world-class mobile internet to the people of the Mountain Kingdom and addressing the relative scarcity of fixed line connections in the country.

LTE, also known as ‘4G’, is a faster mobile connection technology. With LTE/4G, video and music downloads can be accomplished in a fraction of the time of traditional 3G services and a host of business tools that would normally rely on a fixed-line connection can now be accessed via mobile. This launch represents a step change in mobile capabilities and brings world class mobile internet access to the people of Lesotho.

“Data demand in Lesotho is booming, with more than a quarter of our customer base actively using data. We can only see the trend accelerating from here, which is why we’re so excited to launch the latest connection technology” said Ian Ferrao, Managing Director of Vodacom Lesotho.

“There’s a proven link between internet access and GDP growth, and Vodacom has been investing heavily in our network in Lesotho in order to make sure we connect as many people as possible. The country has a limited number of fixed line data connections, and by launching this next generation LTE/4G technology, we think we can make a real difference to the speed and quality of connectivity available to the nation” adds Ferrao.

Vodacom Lesotho, which launched services in 1996, has more than 1.3 million customers. Over 350,000 of these are active data users. In comparison, there are estimated to be fewer than 10,000 fixed-line ADSL connections in the country. This demonstrates the potential impact of launching LTE/4G across the country.

Vodacom’s LTE/4G service is currently available in Maseru and will be extended to other districts in the coming months. The service is available to both prepaid and contract customers, and is ideal for businesses looking to increase the speed and quality of their data connection.

“We’ve got plans to continue to speed things up from here, so I’m confident that Vodacom will continue to play a big role in getting Lesotho connected into the future” concludes Ferrao.

 

[jannievanzyl]

When we had the original discussion about 3G and 4G definitions and usage, I said that (while the standards are clear) the problem is going to be hardware manufacturers that just call LTE '4G', when it's not.

2 years on and that's exactly what's happened, try and find a hardware device that says 'LTE' and not '4G'. Causing great confusion.

MyBB is probably the only publication left that still calls it correctly, the rest of the press just talks about 4G when they refer to LTE.

It's like farting against thunder....

 

[Paul Hjul]

so develop greater farting skills ...

I have always taken the view that LTE is more than just about speed and is an approach towards bridging from the mixed 2nd and 3rd generation radio technologies - mostly GSM but also other competing digital radio technologies - towards a converged "NGN" that is all-IP, efficient in terms of spectrum usage and all that other jazz; whereas 4G is a set of technologies that make up the 4th generation of radio technologies with LTE-Advanced and some of the big boy WiMAX falling into the specification requirements

LTE in that sense is far more marketey from an MNO point of view and 4G more marketey from a hardware manufacturer point of view.

 

[rpm]

When we had the original discussion about 3G and 4G definitions and usage, I said that (while the standards are clear) the problem is going to be hardware manufacturers that just call LTE '4G', when it's not. 2 years on and that's exactly what's happened, try and find a hardware device that says 'LTE' and not '4G'. Causing great confusion.

But Vodacom argued that Cell C could not use the term 4G, because HSPA+ and LTE did not qualify based on the ITU’s definition.

I see a different argument now – saying that it is acceptable because many vendors, handset manufacturers and operators inaccurately state that LTE is 4G.

In fact, Cell C highlighted in their presentations that they merely followed international trends, showing how other operators did the same internationally (call HSPA+ 4G).

So does Vodacom’s argument still hold that we should follow the ITU’s definition?

 

[Ockie]

But Vodacom argued that Cell C could not use the term 4G, because HSPA+ and LTE did not qualify based on the ITU’s definition.

I see a different argument now – saying that it is acceptable because many vendors, handset manufacturers and operators inaccurately state that LTE is 4G.

In fact, Cell C highlighted in their presentations that they merely followed international trends, showing how other operators did the same internationally (call HSPA+ 4G).

So does Vodacom’s argument still hold that we should follow the ITU’s definition?

Different country different network and no ASA ruling that applies there?

 

[Paul Hjul]

But Vodacom argued that Cell C could not use the term 4G, because HSPA+ and LTE did not qualify based on the ITU’s definition.

I see a different argument now – saying that it is acceptable because many vendors, handset manufacturers and operators inaccurately state that LTE is 4G.

In fact, Cell C highlighted in their presentations that they merely followed international trends, showing how other operators did the same internationally (call HSPA+ 4G).

So does Vodacom’s argument still hold that we should follow the ITU’s definition?

despite being made by Vodacom, YES

the term 4G is meaningless outside of its technical definition and doesn't have any "standard" feel to it - in order for the people all mean the same wrong thing when they talk about something as X doesn't hold in this instance.

 

[jannievanzyl]

But Vodacom argued that Cell C could not use the term 4G, because HSPA+ and LTE did not qualify based on the ITU’s definition.

I see a different argument now – saying that it is acceptable because many vendors, handset manufacturers and operators inaccurately state that LTE is 4G.

In fact, Cell C highlighted in their presentations that they merely followed international trends, showing how other operators did the same internationally (call HSPA+ 4G).

So does Vodacom’s argument still hold that we should follow the ITU’s definition?

Absolutely. The press release was wrong.

My point is that we're likely going to be the last bastion of trying to support the correct terminology.....the farting against thunder bit. And with the mighty Apple now calling LTE 4G, us mere mortals have little chance.

This argument is if LTE should be called 4G. The other bunch stretched it a bit too far by claiming 21Mb/s 3G can be called 4G.

 

[jannievanzyl]

Different country different network and no ASA ruling that applies there?

Valid point, but won't fly with uncle RPM. I'm with him on this.

 

[Ockie]

Valid point, but won't fly with uncle RPM. I'm with him on this.

Last time I stick up for you!

 

[Paul Hjul]

but will the 4G discourse keep itself in the market? The terminology was big in the States because it represents the death of CDMA

Absolutely. The press release was wrong.

My point is that we're likely going to be the last bastion of trying to support the correct terminology.....the farting against thunder bit. And now with the mighty Apple now calling LTE 4G, us mere mortals have little chance.

This argument is if LTE should be called 4G. The other bunch stretched it a bit too far by claiming 21Mb/s 3G can be called 4G.