Bionic - Global Ready?

[bres]

Initial descriptions of the Bionic had it Verizon's first 4g global ready phone. Ready to get one yesterday I discovered it is not. Any idea why not and when Verizon will debut a 4G global ready phone? 

[curtterp]

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bres wrote:

Initial descriptions of the Bionic had it Verizon's first 4g global ready phone. Ready to get one yesterday I discovered it is not. Any idea why not and when Verizon will debut a 4G global ready phone? 

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The reason why you see a lack of global ready phones, is that the different parts of the globe, have different frequencies that they use for their LTE deployments. For each set of frequencies, you need to have a different antennas for the different frequencies. With the small amout of power for cell phones, each set of frequencies need to have an antenna that is tuned to that frequency. With the small amount of real estate inside the phone, they have to find places to put them.

When will we see a global ready phone? Only the manufacturers know.

I never did see anything that advertised the Bionic as global ready, just 4g ready. Of course, there was never an official announcement from Verizon or Motorola until the night before it was released.

[toy_truck]

I recall hearing something about the Bionic being globally capable.  Want to say I read it  on CNET but not sure.  Still I like the phone

[bres]

I talked to a Verizon tech (who was helping me with another problem) about 2 months ago who told me that the Bionic would be the first Verizon 4G phone global ready. I know about the antennas. My 3 year old blackberry is global ready. I fail to understand why the Verizon removed that feature from the Bionic.

[#5]

Bres, thank you for sharing where you heard this information. I apologize that the representative gave you incorrect information. The Bionic has never been advertised as a global device. We chose to implement LTE as our 4G technology not only because of the remarkable speeds and reliability, but also because eventually the rest of the world will move over to LTE. At that time, our LTE phones will be compatible with other carriers' across the world. That may be where the confusion lies. Here is Motorola's official press release about the Bionic following CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January. 

[badbukcy]

So MarquiaF, when will Verizon come out with a Global Ready 4G phone? It only has to be 4G ready in the US, and 3G everywhere else and I think that would cover it, since most usage would be in the US for most people anyway.

[bres]

I second badbukcy's question. I am ready to immediately upgrade to a Verizon Droid 4G Global ready phone. When will one arrive?

[me2tink]

I was also told in my local Verizon store (A company store, not a reseller) that the Bionic would be global ready. This was in mid August 2011

[bres]

Wow, Verizon sure has been silent on these questions. Wonder why they won't answer us?

[ocean1159]

So, when the Bionic was initially introduced I read the reviews and found that this phone might work for me.  The information was sketchy whether it was a global phone or not.  I called Verizon and asked specifically if it was a global phone, I was told yes.  I ordered the phone.  I've had the phone for almost a month now and heard from a few people that it was NOT a global phone.  I called Verizon and asked the Tech and she confirmed that it was not a global phone.

I can't tell you how disappointed I am.  I would have NEVER ordered this phone had I known it wasn't global.  I have two more phones to upgrade.  I've decided to wait while I explore other options.  Apologies in this matter are unacceptable.  I would expect that all Verizon representatives know the equipment they are promoting, that includes the specs.