5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Defense or Dodge? Verizon Confronts Concerns About Network Response to Unlimited

By Diana Goovaerts | May 10, 2017

T-Mobile last month sought to undermine Verizon’s unlimited play with claims – based on the Un-carrier’s interpretation of Ookla Speedtest data – that Big Red’s download speeds dropped 14 percent after the introduction of the new plans.

“Watching what the carriers’ new unlimited plans are doing to their networks is like watching a train wreck in slow motion – emphasis on slow,” T-Mobile CEO John Legere quipped. “This is what happens when you unleash unlimited data on a network that wasn’t built to handle it.”

But Verizon sought to fire back at an analyst meeting earlier this week, which included an extensive presentation on the carrier’s network investment, planning, and performance.

Specifically addressing concerns about how Verizon’s network is performing post-unlimited introduction, Chief Network Officer Nicki Palmer said “performance since we launched unlimited on our network is exactly what we thought it would be. It’s no different than what we planned and what we’ve executed.”

Palmer spent a good portion of her speaking time refuting unfavorable speed tests, in particular targeting the kind of crowd-sourced tests cited by T-Mobile. But one of Palmer’s presumed defenses of Verizon’s performance on the speed front really sounded a little bit like a dodge around some of T-Mobile’s specific speed claims.

“Speed is important, but what we try to provide to customers and do better than anyone else is give them the speed that they need to actually perform the task that they need to perform,” Palmer said. “We look at wireless performance as a combination of coverage, reliability, and speed. It’s not just one.”

But Verizon’s SVP of Network Infrastructure Planning Ed Chan backed Palmer up, reiterating the carrier is right where it wants to be in terms of its spectrum position to serve customers.

“If you look at where we are foundationally, 98 percent of our traffic is now on LTE, and more than half of the voice traffic is now on VoLTE,” Chan said, further noting the carrier is on track with spectrum refarming efforts and is leading the push to bring large swaths of unlicensed airwaves online. “We have more than enough capacity to bring us into 4G through 2020 easily, and connecting us up into 5G.”


Filed Under: Carriers

 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Related Articles Read More >

eSIM
eSIM eases changing carriers for phones and IoT
QoE and QoS comparison
Benchmarking in 5G: More important than ever
iPhone 12
I bought a 5G phone, now what?
6G
Key takeaways from 6G Symposium

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World