Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s largest 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network, has activated its 4G LTE service in Marion, allowing businesses, farmers, and residents to tap into the nation’s fastest wireless network that now covers two-thirds of the U.S. population in 230 markets.“Verizon’s expansion of the 4G LTE network inMarionis an asset to our economic development,” said Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold. “I am very excited and pleased thatMarionis part of the growing list of cities for coverage.”
InIndiana, Verizon now has expanded 4G LTE to cover more than 70Indianacities and towns. With these expansions, Verizon’s 4G LTE network now covers nearly all ofGrantCounty. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.3 billion in itsIndiananetwork since 2000, including $159 million in 2011 alone, to increase coverage and capacity on behalf of its customers.
Within Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE service area, Verizon customers with 4G LTE-enabled devices can stream video, share music and photos, surf the Web and download files at speeds up to 10 times faster than customers on 3G networks. For businesses utilizing the network, the increasing spread of broadband connectivity provides the most sophisticated wireless capabilities for economic advancement.
In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE customers in the coverage area should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits (Mbps) per second on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. “People across Indianaare increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained,” said John Granby, president–Indiana/Kentucky/Michigan Region, Verizon Wireless. “Our investment inIndiana has kept us ahead of these consumer trends and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices.”
Verizon Wireless plans to more than double the number of its 4G LTE markets, bringing the total number of markets to more than 400 by the end of the year. With the additional new markets and continued expansions, the company’s 4G LTE network will cover more than 260 million people in theUnited Statesby the end of 2012.
When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area inIndianaor elsewhere, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the largest, most reliable network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network was named “Fastest 4G Network Yet” by Popular Science’s 2011 Best of What’s New Awards, and was also ranked No. 1 on PC World’s 100 Best Products of 2011. For more information about Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.
Source: Verizon Wireless