Verizon Certifies LTE Devices

Verizon Wireless’ LTE developers met this week and announcements at the meeting included a listing of many certified devices for use with the network’s 700 MHz LTE C-Block spectrum.

The listing of devices that have passed the carrier’s Open Development compliance testing procedures indicate developers are planning to introduce traditional infrastructure products like routers, but there also appears to be an interest in end user features including in medical and health care applications.

The listing of firms whose products have passed testing include some of the usual suspects like Cisco and Juniper Networks, which are developing routers; Motorola passed tests for a rugged barcode terminal and an enterprise digital assistant.

Initial trials of the LTE network began in the Boston and Seattle areas nearly a year ago. Verizon Wireless, which is jointly owned by Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group, plans to introduce the LTE network before the end of the year, which would make its introduction about a year later than the inauguration of an LTE network for TeliaSonera in Norway and Sweden. In the US, prepaid mobile phone provider MetroPCS is also planning to introduce LTE service for its subscribers.

It’s clear from the listing of devices that Verizon is well on its way to developing a robust network that will feature myriad products and services. The company’s Open Development unit said it is still “looking for machine-to-machine (M2M) devices specifically in: consumer electronics, healthcare, telematics, utilities, security and manufacturing.”

Routers figure prominently in the approved list. Companies with routers approved for the network include Ctek, Digi International, Digitec, JBM Electronics RuggedCom, and SmartSynch. Some companies have received certification for more than one product. Digi International, for instance, has received certification for at least 12 routers.

BL Healthcare has received approval for its Ecosystem Platform and Motion Computing’s mobile clinical assistant has also been certified as has the firm’s tablet PCs. Other companies that have received certification for their products include Ambient Corporation, Axesstel, Blue Tree Wireless Data, CalAmp, CradlePoint, Getac Technology, Intermec Technologies, Intuicom, Itron, Sierra Wireless, Telular Corporation, Ventus Networks, Verifone, Waxess and Wireless Matrix.

The deployment of Verizon’s LTE network appears to have been stretched out until the end of the year, somewhat longer than was initially planned. The service will deploy with data cards and dongles with voice capable handsets likely to be introduced later. Verizon has indicated the robust high-speed service is likely to be metered. Verizon said voice implementations will be up to device developers. Because the initial service will be packet-based, initial voice calling is likely to be VoIP-based. Once shunned like the plague by Verizon, VoIP service has recently been embraced by the carrier, which now offers Skype on some of its mobile phones.