This image of an AT&T van parked outside an Apple store in San Francisco has sparked speculation over whether or not the upcoming fifth-generation iPhone will have 4G/LTE capabilities. Why? Because that Apple store is closed for refurbishment, set to reopen on October 5 — a day after the rumored unveiling of Apple’s new iPhone — and is thought to be having AT&T’s LTE base stations installed inside
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The image was sent to SlashGear, who says that this could be one indication an LTE-enabled iPhone is on its way:
Since AT&T’s 4G LTE network has just launched and is in fairly limited markets, it’s possible that Apple would need to install suitable base stations in certain venues where it expects to demonstrate it’s next-gen iPhone running on LTE.
However, the fact that AT&T’s LTE network is still very limited, and that 4G networks on the whole are very limited right now, is one indication that Apple may not be ready to introduce 4G capabilities to its iPhone.
Apple has previously expressed concerns over the still early technology, and we’re yet to see any compelling evidence that points towards an LTE iPhone. The idea that Apple would go to great lengths to set up AT&T LTE base stations, simply to show off an LTE iPhone, is proof that 4G isn’t yet widespread enough for the iPhone.
It’s possible, however, that these LTE base station are simply to demonstrate AT&T’s 4G speeds when hooked up to an iPhone over Wi-Fi.
What do you think? Would Apple really release an LTE iPhone while the technology is still so new?
[via SlashGear]
