Can the 4S iphone connect to the 4G network?

I had a talk about this with our Verizon rep last week. I was told that one of the confusing points is the way the term "4G" has been abused by the various cell providers. My personal experience has been that Verizon, in our area, does have an active and very good 4G LTE network. Download speeds are much improved. I've tested this with 'droid devices. As I understand it, there is not an LTE compatible iPhone. The iOS devices that ATT calls "4G" actually connects to their existing network which is not LTE, and which Verizon calls 3G. I'm not an ATT hater ( they have very good customer service for Enterprise), and my experience is almost 100% with VZW, so if an ATT expert can correct or append to what I have said, it would be welcome😉

Bonesaw1962 wrote:

The iOS devices that ATT calls "4G" actually connects to their existing network which is not LTE, and which Verizon calls 3G. I'm not an ATT hater

Actually... the misleading information being shared does infact make you look like an AT&T hater.

A simple google search would have revealed the answer.

The 4S is an HSPA+ compatible device.

In the US, only AT&T and TMobile have HSPA+ networks (some of the smaller regional carriers may as well, but they are not relevant for this discussion). Only AT&T's network has compatible 3G/HSPA+ frequencies to work with the iPhone.

Verizon has nothing compatible or comparable with AT&T's HSPA+ network. Both AT&T and Verizon have LTE networks. The ONLY device Apple currently offers that is LTE compatible is the new iPad.

The 4S is technically (and has always been) a 4G device on the AT&T network. The only change in iOS5.1 is that when connected to a HSPA+ network it now displays the "4G" icon. NOTHING has changed in the devices hardware or the speed at which it connects to the network. A 4S running iOS5 or 5.01 will connect and download data via AT&T's network at the exact same speed as a 4S run iOS5.1.

Thanks for the clarification.

It has been relayed to the carriers... and in fact AT&T was the one that requested the Update.

Would I expect Verizon or any other carrier to know this information? No. It simply does not affect them or any device on their network.

The only 4S devices that will ever show a 4G icon are devices connected to AT&T's HSPA+ network.

The iPhone 4S is compatible with HSPA+ networks. The ITU has defined HSPA+ as 4G. Therefore it is compatible with HSPA+ based 4G networks. That does NOT mean it is compatible with other standards, such as LTE and WiMax, which are also defined as "4G" by the ITU.

It's very simple, your daughters iPhone is not on Verizon, it's on AT&T.

Stop calling Verizion and asking them about the issue.

Okay... either you're mistaken about which carrier the device is being used with or someone is mistaken about what is showing on the display. The iPhone will only display 4G when connected to an AT&T HSPA+ network. The Verizon iPhone cannot connect to the AT&T HSPA+ network, as Verizon will not unlock the GSM portion for connecting to US carriers.

Seaham wrote:

Thanks for the information. I am so sorry if I seem to be stupid about all this, but I really don't know what all this (HSPA+, ITU, LTE, etc..) means. So, Verizon's 4G network is LTE ?

It's not stupid. The acronyms are confusing as all get-out to most mortals. The ITU is the standard body that defines things like '3G', '4G', etc.

HSPA+ is basically an enhancement of '3G', but is significantly faster. Fast enough that it pushes it into '4G' territory. On AT&T I normally see download speeds of 8 or 9 Mbps. LTE and WiMax are competing '4G' standards. WiMax appears to be dead on arrival. Most carriers are opting for LTE. It is roughly twice as fast as HSPA+ (in theory).

None of those actually meet the original specification for 4G, which called for tranfer rates of 100Mbps when mobile and 1Gbps when stationary.

4G has largely been reduced to a marketing term meaning 'faster than our old network'.

Not sure why your daughter's phone would have displayed a 4G indicator. It shouldn't have. Probably just a momentary glitch.

If you are absolutely certain your agreement is with VZW, I'd talk to them. My experience has been is that there is a "support gap" between Apple Support and support offered by the cell provider, whoever it might be.....no ones fault, it just exists... If your agreement is with VZW talk to them, or better yet go into one of their stores and talk to their tech support guys.

Here's what Verizon says:

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

You are now chatting with 'Alina'

Alina: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

You: I've been reading about the verizon "4G LTE" network. Will an Applie iphone 4S take advantage of this new network and improved speed?

Alina: I'd be happy to assist you.

Alina: No, the iPhone 4S is a 3G device. It doesn't have the capability of 4G LTE.

You: thank you

remember, the term '4g" is nothing more than marketing (when it comes to the networks) as you say, there are no rules governing such terminology... and in that light, the term "LTE" is also marketing fluff... it is just a name of their version...

same with ATT's version... just all marketing... technically there are vast differences in the networks though, there are good and bad that come with both....

one thing you can tell though is the world is going with pretty much one standard system (there are a few exceptions)... and the rest of the developed world is light years ahead of the U.S. in mobile network fill out and network tech adoption....

mainly because of our monopoly networks we left in place in the U.S. for far too long...