The 4G train is chugging along very nicely by now, with yet another carrier announcing intentions to commit to LTE as their 4G technology. Alltel announced that they have choses LTE over WiMAX, not even mentioning the possibility that they ever even considered UMB. UMB, also known as EV-DO Rev. C, is the clear cut upgrade path for CDMA networks, but with Verizon and now Alltel announcing they will not deploy the technology, the future of UMB becomes even more uncertain.

“We do currently plan to move towards LTE in the three-to-five year timeframe versus WiMAX, but we’re still early in that,” -Scott Ford, President and CEO, Alltel

It seems as though LTE is not going to give up its stranglehold on the 4G upgrade path. Though Alltel is interested in the technology, they said that you can be positive you will not hear them talking about 4G this year. They go on to say there is not money for it right now, and it is still three to five years out before they plan to make any major network upgrades.

This is about the same time frame we have seen provided by AT&T and Verizon, who are also going to be deploying the LTE technology. Though LTE is on the GSM upgrade path, it is commonly, and mistakenly, taken as GSM. The technology is actually the OFDMA air standard, and is totally independent of the CDMA and GSM technologies.

[Via RCRNews]