“Though Apple’s next iPhone is widely expected to have high-speed 4G long-term evolution connectivity, a new survey has found that nearly half of American consumers feel they don’t need 4G LTE,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.
“The details come from a survey of 3,000 individuals polled by investment firm Piper Jaffray. The results of the poll were revealed in a research note published Wednesday by analyst Christopher M. Larsen and shared with AppleInsider,” Hughes reports. “The survey found that 47 percent of consumers feel they don’t need 4G LTE, and another 26 percent indicated they feel all 4G network technologies are the same. Just 15 percent of those polled said that 4G LTE is the best network technology.”
Hughes reports, “Apple released its first 4G LTE device earlier this year with the debut of the third-generation iPad. That’s helped to fuel expectations that Apple’s next iPhone, frequently referred to as the “iPhone 5,” will also feature 4G LTE connectivity, exceeding the 3G network technology found on previous iPhone models.”
Read more in the full article here.
I average anywhere from 5-7mbs on my 4S with ATT HSPA+ Thats more than enough bandwidth. Just bring back unlimited data..
It’s like replacing your drinking straw with a 10′ pipe but the Coke cup is still 8oz before running dry & you have to top up again by paying more.
That’s probably right. There are people that never go online.
But as someone who recently cut the cord and is awe of the cloud, LTE makes it all possible. In no time the 47% that say no will drop to zero once they get a taste of it.
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
-Henry Ford
And they haven’t seen what Apple will do with it, either.
“47% of those Americans we surveyed said they don’t need {128MB RAM / 802.11n / 47wH Li-Ion batteries / Accelerometer}”
Of course, there’s always the chance that what you *want* to do with 4G LTE won’t be allowed under your carrier’s contract unless you pay extra for it 😉
the faster it is the higher your bill will be
In the current non-competitive environment, you are correct. What we need are dumb pipes that know they are only going to get $50/month/household and are competing to get as much of that market as they can with high speeds, good coverage and cheap bandwidth. But that would be capitalism, not the protected business model of the American mobile phone cartel.
As if people actually have a preference over the type of connection they have. They just want something that works at a price they’re willing to pay for it. That it’s LGE or not is of no matter.
Don’t need it for the iPhone, just iPad.
http://tech-shizzle.com/2012/03/21/why-the-iphone-5-doesnt-need-lte/
Need? No.
Want?.. Different story.
But you also have to consider the price involved. Would you want LTE if it cost $1000 a month?
I have AT&T’s “4G” here, it works for me. I still have my unlimited plan, if/when LTE comes here… Bet you AT&T says if you want LTE, you have to switch plans… No more unlimited.
Same with the FaceTime over cellular. AT&T slit their throats on that one…
4G should not be compared to the technology or hardware of your device. 3G on the iPhone 4S is more than enough for me and I use the online services frequently.
I wish the iPad 3 didn’t have 4G. It would be thinner and lighter, have greater battery life while still being online savvy.
No 4G for me please. I can always find wifi if I need super fast speeds or something.
Honestly, I don’t see the point of super-fast internet connections over cellular unless you plan to download enormous files or watch video. And either one of those activities will drain your data limit. For that reason, I reserve data-intensive activities for when I have WiFi access. So no, I don’t need 4G. 3G is plenty fast enough for browsing the web and sending iMessages.
——RM
The only benefit to me of a faster connection would be instant downloads of web pages, email, maps, etc. I’d never consider downloading large files like movies or TV shows, or making video calls over cellular unless the data download costs were predictable, reliable, and affordable. I don’t want any bill shocks at the end of the month. So, the 3-6 MB speeds I get today with regular 4G is quite adequate for my current needs. I’d actually prefer an iPad-like non-contract plan with a set bucket of bits available for a fixed price, with usage warnings as it’s consumed. The only times I’ve ever consumed my monthly iPad limit was on vacation, when I downloaded a lot of maps.
And 99.9% of consumers could not tell you the difference between HSPA+, LTE, or LTE-A, all of which are often referred to as “4G”. (Whereas only LTE-A fits the original ITU definition of 4G.)
Typically, you’ll only get a statement that 4G is faster than 3G.
They know nothing about available tower channel density or anything of the sort. Get tied up behind a huge traffic pile up? The 3G towers very likely get maxed out with people messaging and calling to either find out information or let others know they’re tied up in traffic — or surf the ‘net because they’re bored sitting in their car for an hour or more. Under the LTE (or eventually the LTE-A) systems that tower overload will be less likely.
Tell people THAT and see how many want to move to LTE.
Tell them that LTE will let them download a map in 2 seconds versus 4 seconds and they likely won’t care. But tell them LTE is more likely to let them send text or SMS message or get information in high stress situations and they very likely WILL care.
Just 15 percent of those polled said that 4G LTE is the best network technology.
These are the people who know that LTE IS NOT 4G.