FoneRent

US cellular giant, Verizon Wireless has confirmed that its 4G phones will not be compatible with other networks because "the phones will be on different frequencies," according to spokeswoman Brenda Raney.

In an announcement earlier this week, Verizon commented that the new 4G LTE (4th Generation Long Term Evolution) systems used by Verizon and soon AT&T will run on SIM cards, being able to switch between unlocked phones and from network to network. But crucially Verizon may be designing its phones to only run on a Verizon specific platform and wireless frequency which in turn locks out all other possible carriers. 

Commenting on the Verizon release, the FoneRent Director of Sales & Marketing, David Gill said 'Elements of this sound very familiar to when GSM was first deployed in the US during the mid-90s when clients leaving the US needed a different frequency handset and vice-versa. I can see a lot of customers being left frustrated and that is where FoneRent comes in. We rent out truly unlocked handsets to clients to help them stay connected, but more importantly they soon recognise that the cost of roaming remains very high and add a SIM card to their package'.

The result will be the formation of another incompatible set of wireless devices, likely to continue into the future. So for users looking forward to a single device that will operate on all US networks and beyond, dream on. Outside the US, things get worse. The ITU (International Telecommunication Union) has approved several bands for LTE across the globe which may make it impractical if not  impossible for LTE phones to roam globally as there are just too many bands.

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