Apple reportedly testing carriers on LTE performance

Apple's stance on 4G LTE is rather well-known already, and the company's embrace of the technology was dependent on several factors, ranging from network speed to battery life. Now, Telecoms reports that not only is Cupertino strict about what carriers have access to the new iPhone 5, but wireless companies must undergo Apple's own 4G testing and approval process before being allowed to promote the iPhone 5 as an LTE device.

Telecoms learned of the previously unreported testing protocols from Swisscom, Switzerland's Bern-based telecommunications giant. "Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator's live network," a Swisscom spokesperson told Telecoms.

Swisscom just enabled its own LTE offering a few days ago, but can't officially offer the iPhone 5 as an LTE device without passing Apple's test. In a press release, Swisscom noted that the iPhone 5 will gain LTE compatibility on its network "in due course."