Verizon: 4G-Only Smartphones by 2013

The race is on for 4G, and we don't mean HSPA+, which is an add-on to existing 3G networks, but true LTE that allows for extremely high theoretical maximum upload and download speeds, plus much higher-quality voice with VoLTE. Verizon was first with LTE, and AT&T isn't too far off launching their next-generation network, which might prove to be the fastest yet. At a the Telecommunications Industry Association conference today, Verizon CTO, Tony Melone, remarked that if LTE deployment goes as well as expected, we could be seeing phone that are 4G-only (meaning, no 3G radios) as soon as 2013. He also remarked that WiFi will continue to be important at home and at highly-populated venues where optimum reception might not be possible.