Verizon Hits 75% of the US With 4G LTE

Verizon Wireless said Wednesday morning that it added 34 new markets to its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, bringing its coverage footprint for the faster data service to nearly 75 percent of the U.S.

Big Red now has 4G LTE in 371 markets across the country and is aiming to cover 400 by year's end. The operator also extended service in 38 other markets.

Verizon's 4G service offers average download speeds of 5 to 12-Mbit/s. Upload averages clock in at 2 to 5-Mbit/s. (See What We Mean When We Say '4G'.)

Why this matters
Verizon's LTE footprint dwarfs those of its rivals. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has 47 markets up. Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) just launched its first 15 markets. T-Mobile US Inc. will go to LTE next year.

For more

• Verizon Blankets Two-Thirds of Population in 4G
• Size Matters for LTE, Verizon CTO Says
• Verizon Expands LTE Network in Acton
• Verizon Goes All Out for LTE Smartphones
• Where's Verizon's 4G Going Next?
• Mapping LTE: AT&T & Verizon's 4G Footprints

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile