4GLTE world phone: Wait, then stay or switch

[lotalota]

I've had a BB through Verizon for a long, long time and do have the grandfathered unlimited data plan. I really want a 4GLTE world phone with ICS and a big screen but such a creature doesn't seem to exist yet. I'd hate to switch carriers as I've always had good service from Verizon, except in my workplace which is partially underground. The corporate carrier is ATT, and they have a booster in the building.

I have to assume that Verizon will have a 4GLTE world phone sometime this year. But perhaps not? Any guesses on how long I have to wait for Verizon to come out with one? If ATT comes out with what I want I may have to switch, and lose my grandfathered data plan.

 

[TechTinker]

I've had a BB through Verizon for a long, long time and do have the grandfathered unlimited data plan. I really want a 4GLTE world phone with ICS and a big screen but such a creature doesn't seem to exist yet. I'd hate to switch carriers as I've always had good service from Verizon, except in my workplace which is partially underground. The corporate carrier is ATT, and they have a booster in the building.

I have to assume that Verizon will have a 4GLTE world phone sometime this year. But perhaps not? Any guesses on how long I have to wait for Verizon to come out with one? If ATT comes out with what I want I may have to switch, and lose my grandfathered data plan.

The droid 4 is a LTE phone, with global coming in a update sometime soon. And will get upgraded to ICS this year.

As of now, I dont think any exist. There will be more coming. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[lotalota]

Thanks! I don't think there is one right now either. There are some rumors that the HTC Fireball, or whatever they choose to call it, might be a LTE world phone heading to Verizon. I've been checking this site pretty often on the main page for news, but the articles never seem to say if the phones will work globally. Maybe Verizon doesn't have that many customers who want a high end Android with global LTE capabilities? I mostly travel to Scandinavia and where I go there they do have LTE networks.

 

[NotJustAPhone]

Thanks! I don't think there is one right now either. There are some rumors that the HTC Fireball, or whatever they choose to call it, might be a LTE world phone heading to Verizon. I've been checking this site pretty often on the main page for news, but the articles never seem to say if the phones will work globally. Maybe Verizon doesn't have that many customers who want a high end Android with global LTE capabilities? I mostly travel to Scandinavia and where I go there they do have LTE networks.

The LTE networks outside the US are probably on different frequencies. Not aware of any upcoming Verizon phones that support non-Verizon LTE frequencies. The Droid 4 will have world capabilities through an update that will enable global roaming on GSM networks.

Is the Fireball rumored to have the ability to roam on non-Verizon LTE systems?

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[lotalota]

I don't know if the Fireball is rumored to roam on overseas LTE. It sure would be sweet if it did. It appears that the AT&T Samsung Galaxy note has both US LTE and global roaming. I'm wondering if I should just suck it up and switch carriers to that phone, or wait a while and hope that Verizon comes up with something better?

 

[NotJustAPhone]

I don't know if the Fireball is rumored to roam on overseas LTE. It sure would be sweet if it did. It appears that the AT&T Samsung Galaxy note has both US LTE and global roaming. I'm wondering if I should just suck it up and switch carriers to that phone, or wait a while and hope that Verizon comes up with something better?

I would suggest waiting a while longer especially since you have unlimited data on Verizon. Going from a BB to an LTE phone can really increase your data usage and once you give up an unlimited plan you won't get it back.

I keep an old, unlocked global Verizon BB that I use for overseas travel.

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[npo]

I'm in the same boat... old BB, waiting for a global, LTE phone before I switch. I do have an Android tablet (Archos), which I just LOVE. Was using an iPad2 before that (won it in a drawing), but it's inability to do simple things (like web browsing & email) acceptably well was really frustrating. I gave it to my wife & bought the Archos. I'll definitely go with an Android phone as soon as there's an LTE phone I can take on trips to Britain & S. America.

Regarding that: though there was supposedly a Verizon release in January stating that Droid 4 & Spectrum have global GSM capability that will be enabled sometime soon, i haven't been able to get verification of this from anyone at Verizon. I searched Verizon's website for that release, but found nothing -- a Google search only turns up stories about the release, but not the release itself, so no way to know whether it's real. Until they either confirm that story or release a new GSM-enabled LTE phone, i think the safe thing to do is wait.

Seems like there are a ton of people waiting, so Verizon could make significant $$$ if they would sort this out ASAP.

 

[npo]

Can you wait a month? I just managed to get my Verizon business account rep to tell me that there's likely going to be news on this right at the beginning of the next quarter. He had no comment as to whether the news will be about a new phone, or GSM capabilities being turned on in existing phones.

 

[lotalota]

Can you wait a month? I just managed to get my Verizon business account rep to tell me that there's likely going to be news on this right at the beginning of the next quarter. He had no comment as to whether the news will be about a new phone, or GSM capabilities being turned on in existing phones.

I can wait. I'd have to buy out of my contract until Q3. But I'd sure like to get one of those snazzy new Androids to replace my aging BB. If what your account rep told you is true, I hope it's a big one like the Galaxy Journal.

 

[tennvol]

I have a Droid Pro I use as a world phone. With the right SIM I get HSPA speeds overseas.

I would hate to think how expensive data roaming will cost with LTE

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[brewspy]

I find myself in a situation where I have a canadian and us cell plan simultaneously, and would like to get an Android phone that is fairly current (within about a year), and compatible with both Telus' and Verizon's networks.

Does anyone know if any exist? I've heard that the Droid 2 can do this, but there are so many different frequencies, protocols, and terminologies that each carrier uses in different areas of the world, and among each other.

Would the news with Verizon and GSM capabilities in a month allow for me to do this?