Option has announced its new 4G LTE LGA module called GTM801. This LGA module uses the Qualcomm’s MDM 9215 chipset and is targetted for tablets and ultra-portable notebooks. However high-volume tablet manufacturers such as Samsung, ZTE etc tend to go with chip-on-board design.
T-Mobile USA has announced that it will launch 4G LTE netwrok in 2013. It is planning to invest $4 Billion on network upgrades. It aims to roll out LTE service in top 50 U.S markets.
Qualcomm announced the availability for next generation embedded reference design platform based on MDM9615 and MDM9216 chipsets. This platform will be used in next gen 4G LTE modules to enable LTE connectivity in laptops, netbooks, tablets and other M2M applications. Like the previous generations of Gobi modules, 9×15-based modules can support multi-mode functionility – CDMA and GSM networks that will include support for air interfaces such as LTE, DC-HSPA+, EDGE, GPRS, EVDO Rev A/B and 1xRTT.Manu 4G modules vendors are expected to adopt this chipset for their next generation module development.
Yota is launching 4G LTE network in Russia in April. Skartel, which trades under the name of Yota plans to have LTE coverage in all Russian cities by September of 2012. Yota’s LTE users will experience a downlink speeds of 20 Mbps, which is better than the 3-7 Mbps 3G network speeds.
Article One partners and Thomson Reuters have published the findings of their study of LTE patent portfolios. The study shows that Nokia, Qualcomm, Samsung and Ericsson have the leadership position in LTE patent portfolios. The patent study also covered evolving LTE technological advances such as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Voice over LTE and advanced carrier aggregation.
Clearwire has announced that it will launch LTE service by June 2013. Unlike Verizon and AT&T, Clearwire’s LTE will be based on TDD. Some of the carriers in Europe and Japan have adopted TD-LTE, but vast majority of teh carriers have adopted LTE FDD. Clearwire seems to be changing its focus from WiMAX to LTE.
U.S Cellular is rolling out 4G LTE service in second half of 2012 with coverage for up to 3,600 cities and town. In conjunction with the network launch, the carrier is also launching Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy S Aviator smartphone. It also said that by the end of 2012, 54% of U.S Cellular’s customers will have LTE coverage.
Sprint has announced agreements companies that are delivering innovative healthcare solutions
Relections Solutions : Remote heath monitoring services that will operate on Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks
DayaMed: This company develops MedPod telehealth hub, a customized medication dispenser. Dayamed is working on embedding 3G or 4G embedded module for its MedPod device, which will operate on Sprints wireless network.
HealthSpot : They are working to develop embedded wireless connectivity for HealthSpot Care4 Station, a virtual doctor’s office.
FCC is “indefinately suspending” LightSquared’s plans to launch 4G LTE network because of potential GPS interference issues. Many indutry bodies representing military, GPS device vendors, avaition etc have lobbied against the launch of Lightsquared’s 4G LTE network.
Renesas Mobile has launched MP5232 solution, that can support both 3G and LTE.The chipset supports multi-mode FDD and TDD-LTE Category 4 capabilities. MP5232 platform includes 1.5 GHz dual-core computing power and other capabilites that re required for building LTE-enabled devices. MP5232 could also be a considered for 4G LTE module products. Here is the link to Renesas Mobile’s press release on MP5232.