Verizon's Palmer: LTE launch headaches were minimal

Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) nationwide launch of LTE network technology has been smoother than expected, according to Nicola Palmer, Verizon Wireless' vice president of network operations. 

Palmer, who spoke at the VentureBeat Mobile Summit yesterday, said Verizon's biggest problems in the rollout involved renegotiating for LTE tower sites. She said the carrier's new LTE network requires new antennas, base stations and other upgrades--requiring the company to obtain additional cell sites.

She said the carrier had expected more difficulties securing Ethernet backhaul for its network upgrade, but Palmer said that has gone smoothly, thanks to cooperation from Verizon partners in the telecom and cable industries.

Palmer also reiterated what other Verizon executives have said about moving from unlimited to tiered data pricing. She said that unlimited service plans are unsustainable for the industry. In March, Verizon Communications Fran Shammo told investors at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom conference that the company would unveil tiered data pricing this summer. He said that the upcoming tiered pricing plans could be based on consumption or speed, or both.  

For more:
- see this VentureBeat article
- see this AllThingsD article

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