TB or not TB, that is the question (4G trojan horse?)

[rushmore]

Update in new post below #5

In spite of my dogging the TB a little, it should be a very good device and the talk & data (at same time) is obviously good At&t touts theirs, but 3G is not exactly everywhere you want it

The reason for the title is I think what may be going on here right now is "passioned" debate in regards to the TB and VZW's 4G strategy- hence the current delays and lack of solid information.

Some likely debates in the director level and above ranks in finance, marketing and sales teams.

1. Tiered 4G now or not? If so, how much?
2. Push 4G now, or wait until later in summer?
3. Hold off releasing TB until 4G network more prolific in the network?
4. Release the TB now as mainly 3G supported and lick our wounds on the 4G / TB strategy thing?

Since HTC is obviously sitting on inventory and components / spending ad dollars, plus Best Buy is probably not too happy right now, you can imagine the pressure VZW uppers are dealing with. Seems no solution that does not compromise strategy or make some group unhappy (consumers seem to be the last thing considered, it seems).

VZW may simply be trying to see what is the least damaging course to take with the TB. Seems the TB was supposed to be their first product to push 4G to consumers in mass and the device is ahead of the network curve.

 

[TheWhale]

In spite of my dogging the TB a little, it should be a very good device and the talk & data (at same time) is obviously good At&t touts theirs, but 3G is not exactly everywhere you want it

The reason for the title is I think what may be going on here right now is "passioned" debate in regards to the TB and VZW's 4G strategy- hence the current delays and lack of solid information.

Some likely debates in the director level and above ranks in finance, marketing and sales teams.

1. Tiered 4G now or not? If so, how much? Not now. If they do just charge 10 extra a month
2. Push 4G now, or wait until later in summer? Already have 4g in my area give me the phone
3. Hold off releasing TB until 4G network more prolific in the network?Once again i have 4g. Not fair making me wait
4. Release the TB now as mainly 3G supported and lick our wounds on the 4G / TB strategy thing? Yes

Since HTC is obviously sitting on inventory and components / spending ad dollars, plus Best Buy is probably not too happy right now, you can imagine the pressure VZW uppers are dealing with. Seems no solution that does not compromise strategy or make some group unhappy (consumers seem to be the last thing considered, it seems).

VZW may simply be trying to see what is the least damaging course to take with the TB. Seems the TB was supposed to be their first product to push 4G to consumers in mass and the device is ahead of the network curve.

.

 

[Familyguy1]

I agree, 4G is rampant in my area so, I would like to have the phone soon...

 

[sean76]

Yea I'm in NYC, so 4G is alive and well here, So I dont want anything except a 4G phone moving forward! I really think VZW should hold off, and look towards releasing it when it's fully ready! They waited this long, what's a few more weeks. Why release a phone that doesnt work as advertised? There is no point in releasing this thing as a 3G phone, with 4G to come later, DO IT RIGHT...OR NOT AT ALL!

However, VZW is going to feel major heat from alot of areas! Best Buy and HTC being the main two! I cant imagine either party being to happy with vzw right now. Plus I just have to say it, the TB's hardware is going to be a little outdated when the Bionic comes to market, which is most likely only 2 months away! VZW is faced with some hard decisions in the coming weeks...

 

[rushmore]

I guess this could be filed under "obvious" but apparently the main reason for the hold up is the TB is the main device to push 4G and the assumption is to get all folks that buy the TB to have them get a tiered 4G plan. This is a key reason for the delay and why BMX and folks are going nuts to get the network more covered with 4G in major markets. For the plan to work, 4G must be more prolific in the network.

Seems nuts to force people with no 4G to have to get 4G (or people that do not want it). My VZW source is no better than anybody elses and he still has no clue of when the TB will release, but is confident the TB is ready, but the network is not 4G ready to cover their plans.

Makes sense the more thinking about it:

1. BMX basically says this
2. BB given green light for adds and pre-orders (TB must be ready then)
3. No 3G/4G switch in settings (at least not in the demo unit)

In the reps defense, NO WORD was mentioned about a trojan horse, but seems that may be part of the original intent of the TB (get current and new users off unlimited plans and push to teired).

If 4G is tiered, I do not want 4G. If 4G is forced to get the TB, I do not want the TB.

added:

3G unlimited is better for the battery and your wallet- IF you use Flash media much. If not, no harm no foul.

 

[odiej34]

F*$@ 4G. Give me the TB Now!*no 4G in my neck of the woods for a year or so.

 

[jbh00jh]

I don't think tiered data will be bad for me. I am on wi-fi 85% of the time ( work at home ). If I watch movies, long videos etc. I use my netbook. I use my phone mainly for calls , email , texts , and google maps sometimes , so I do not use a lot of vzw's data. I learned a long time ago that vzw will stick their hands as far into your pockets as they can , so I don't let them .

 

[TxGoat]

I don't understand the whole, "I'm on wifi most of the time" argument. Why would anyone use their phone to stream video or any media while they're at home? Why not just crank up the computer or stream directly to your TV? The whole reason you want data on your phone is so you can connect to a network while you're MOBILE, otherwise you're just using a growth stunted tablet computer. And there's no way I'd want to drive around looking for a wifi hotspot. Give me liberty unlimited or give me death!

 

[jbh00jh]

I don't understand the whole, "I'm on wifi most of the time" argument. Why would anyone use their phone to stream video or any media while they're at home? Why not just crank up the computer or stream directly to your TV? The whole reason you want data on your phone is so you can connect to a network while you're MOBILE, otherwise you're just using a growth stunted tablet computer. And there's no way I'd want to drive around looking for a wifi hotspot. Give me liberty unlimited or give me death!

Wi-fi is all over , not just at home. We have a system that covers most of our city , the university , etc.

 

[rushmore]

Wi-fi is all over , not just at home. We have a system that covers most of our city , the university , etc.

Some of us folks aint' go that

I am on the road quite a bit. Needs' my 3G unlimited and to heck with the satantic tiered 4G

 

[jbh00jh]

Some of us folks aint' go that

I am on the road quite a bit. Needs' my 3G unlimited and to heck with the satantic tiered 4G

Sorry about your area. I travel also also and can find wi-fi in most of the cities I cover. The motels have it , malls have it , resturants have it and most of my clients' office buildings have it. Just lucky I guess.

 

[rushmore]

Sorry about your area. I travel also also and can find wi-fi in most of the cities I cover. The motels have it , malls have it , resturants have it and most of my clients' office buildings have it. Just lucky I guess.

I am on the ROAD a lot traveling and / or stuck in places waiting to go somewhere. Wifi not a practical option much I joined VZW for the 3G data coverage and unlimited data.

Tiered is evil and you folks will see this, unless you do not use media much in the first place.


added:

Of course, if doing the driving, no harm no foul