Telecom Lead America: Verizon CTO Nicola Palmer said more than 35 percent of the company’s data traffic was carried on the 4G LTE network at the end of September.
Verizon Wireless, like its rivals AT&T Inc, and Sprint Nextel, is spending billions of dollars on upgrading its network to support booming demand for services like web surfing and video on smartphones like the Apple Inc iPhone.
Reuters said market leader Verizon Wireless started its upgrade well ahead if its smaller rivals. AT&T started its upgrade in 2011 and expects to have its LTE service in 100 markets by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless will launch 4G LTE service in its 400th market next week, surpassing its previously announced goal of providing its mobile broadband service in 400 markets by the end of this year.
On October 18, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE service will be available in 417 markets across the United States when it is introduced in 21 new markets and expands in 37 current markets.
More than 245 million people throughout the U.S. – roughly 4 out of 5 – will have access to Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
At the end of the second quarter, nearly 11 million customers were on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
“This milestone and the growing success of our 4G LTE network signal that we at Verizon Wireless are keeping our commitment to our customers to provide them with the very best mobile broadband experience in the nation with the breadth and depth of our coverage as well as the quality of our service,” said Nicola Palmer, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.
To date, Verizon Wireless has introduced 37 4G LTE-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, personal Wi-Fi hotspots and more since the network launched 22 months ago.
The company also opened Verizon Innovation Centers in Waltham, Mass., and San Francisco. The centers serve as laboratories where more than 140 companies of all sizes are working with Verizon Wireless engineers to harness the speed and power of LTE technology for both business customers and consumers.
More than a dozen commercial products were fostered in the Verizon Innovation Centers and more are in the pipeline. Thousands of developers are also involved in bringing their applications to market on the 4G LTE network.
