Google Nexus 4 LTE Could Soon Be Gone

While Google's Nexus 4 doesn't ship with LTE support, the handset does harbor a dormant LTE chip which some users have been able to activate. Sadly, it seems that Google might be working to remove this feature, and make the Nexus 4 completely LTE crippled. 

Website AndroidCentral noticed that Google has pulled factory images from the Internet. According to AndroidCentral, this could be a precursor move by Google before the hidden LTE support is patched up. Of course, this is all speculation, so don't panic just yet. 

But why remove LTE support, however limited it is? Plain and simple - the Nexus 4 isn't officially approved and regulated on LTE Band 4. Google would much rather avoid a confrontation with the FCC than satiate the desires of a few Nexus 4 owners in select areas. 

After the LTE chip inside the Nexus 4 was discovered, clever Android heads quickly figured out a simple software tweak that allowed the Nexus 4 to operate successfully on LTE Band 4. At first, it was mostly Canadian users who reported success, but it seems that those on AT&T's network can take advantage of Band 4 LTE on their Nexus 4 in a few areas in the United States. T-Mobile's LTE, which is planned for a 2013 rollout, is said to utilize Band 4. 

The Google Nexus 4 is currently one of the most sought-after smartphones on the market. High demand and supply shortages have made the Nexus 4 incredibly difficult to get at retail price. Instead, people will have to turn to third-party retailers and pay almost double Google's retail price in order to land a Nexus 4 before the end of the year.