FCC approves LTE / EV-DO hybrid gear from LG

We're not sure what the LG M13 is, exactly, but we can tell you one very important thing about the mysterious device: it's awesome. We know this because the FCC has revealed some limited documentation about the recent approval, which is where we find out that it's a "Cellular / PCS CDMA / EvDO and 700MHz LTE Device." Translated, that means it'll be able to play both on CDMA networks -- take Verizon's, for example -- and also on LTE spectrum deployed in the 700MHz band, which Big Red just so happens to have recently purchased a whole lot of. This wouldn't be the first time LTE-compatible stuff from LG has garnered FCC love, but it would be the first time we've seen a device that supports both LTE and CDMA -- and considering that Verizon will have both networks operational for years (if not decades) to come, that's a pretty important feature. Any creative guesses as to what this might be, then? A modem, perhaps?

[LC @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:24PM]

MiFi Replacement!

[iccassidy @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:35PM]

First :-)

[JrA 2I9 pSu @ Jun 24th 2009 9:28AM]

This is why we can't have nice things!!

[Alexander @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:27PM]

Sweet

[To: Hell @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:27PM]

A mid-size hadron collider?

[KeegdnaB @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:28PM]

I'll bet VZ rolls out combo CDMA/LTE devices for a year or 2 while they work on getting the LTE network up and runnning, then cut the cord and go to all LTE/GSM devices once they can guarantee coverage. They'll keep the CDMA network active for at least 5 years probably for legacy support, but eventually axe it at some point in the future.

[dagamer43 @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:31PM]

Hopefully, FINALLY, we'll get some real competition between carriers since phones can be moved from one carrier to another.

[John Stracke @ Jun 24th 2009 11:58AM]

*cough* GSM

[Jeremy W @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:50PM]

It's going to be a data-only device. That's where LTE will start, just live EvDO did. After a few data devices have been out for a while, then the phones will start rolling in.

[tweak @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:51PM]

iPhone LiTE

[tweak @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:52PM]

xD

From LG of course...

[boomer7638 @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:02PM]

I was thinking the same thing... Has to have something to do with the iPhone... If it's cool that is.......

[tande @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:00PM]

Its a laptop.

Look at the diagram. Yes they're just diagrams, not accurate portrayals of the product but thats feet, a fan, and additional spaces for all the other certification labels that computers have.

Whats the LG's M series? In HK at least its laptops:
http://hk.lge.com/proddivergent.do?actType=search&categoryId=050407&modelCategoryId=&parentId=05

Its going to be a EV-DO/LTE laptop.

[gutier @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:21PM]

I thought exactly the same thing. it looks like a laptop seen from the bottom. evdo+lte= awesome! data+verizon=expen$$$$$$ive =(

[John Stracke @ Jun 24th 2009 11:59AM]

Nah, it's an air hockey table. The connectivity is so you can watch Netflix while playing air hockey.

[Tdar @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:01PM]

If you want to know what this is read the first link from the FCC ...It's a PCS Transmitter. in other words a CDMA\ LTE base station. VZ will be buying lots of these!

[tande @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:14PM]

No, in other words its just not a phone (which is PCE PCS transmitter held to ear). These things are very useful if they're not transmitting as well as receiving.

[Tdar @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:28PM]

further reading makes me not so sure what this is....It's a Printed Circuit Board that much that say. and it's only the CDMA part of something that will do both 80Mhz/1900 Mhz CDMA and 700Mhz LTE. But were it goes is not clear.... Given the picture I still think it may be from a Base station Transceiver.

[tande @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:35PM]

Its not a printed circuit board either.

PCB is just a PCS device not held to the ear. Thats going to be, well anything not held to your ear that falls under their broadband PCS definition.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=broadband_pcs

[tande @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:37PM]

http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Conformity/mra/upload/Tannahill-2-final-presentation.pdf

Look at page 14 for an explanation of the abbreviation we're talking about.

[Valicore @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:03PM]

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo me like me like, I don't know what the f it is, but I'll take one. Are there any regions where Verizon has CDMA licenses but no 700mhz licenses?

[JS @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:34PM]

There's the slight problem of the fact that LTE itself isn't officially standardized yet.

[TheButlerDunnit @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:13PM]

the BEJ is the prefix used for all LG phones from Bell Mobility. BEJLX260, for example, is the original Bell LG Rumour (with a u)

[tande @ Jun 23rd 2009 9:53PM]

Thats not the model number though. You might be on to something if it was the model number of the device but the model number is M13.

[JohnTech @ Jun 23rd 2009 11:00PM]

Should we be expecting this to be a Verizon-bound "dumb" or "feature" phone?

[John Stracke @ Jun 24th 2009 11:58AM]

ObCrack: if it's Verizon-bound, it's dumb.