@ CTIA E&A: Verizon Wireless names initial LTE markets

SAN FRANCISCO – Verizon Wireless provided more details on its impending LTE network launch, saying the service will be available in 38 markets covering 110 million potential customers before the end of the year. The carrier plans to increase that coverage to 200 million pops by 2012 on the way to covering more than 285 million pops, virtually its entire 3G network, by the end of 2013.
The initial launch markets include:
Akron, Ohio
Athens, Ga.
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Charlotte, N.C.
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Denver
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Houston
Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Miami
Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minn.
Nashville, Tenn.
New Orleans
New York
Oakland, Calif.
Oklahoma City
Orlando, Fla.
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Rochester, N.Y.
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose, Calif.
Seattle/Tacoma, Wash.
St. Louis
Tampa, Fla.
Washington, D.C.
West Lafayette, Ind.
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Verizon Communications Inc. COO and President Lowell McAdam noted that initial market coverage would average about 70% of each market’s population at launch.
In addition to the 38 markets to be covered at launch, Verizon Wireless said it will also provide service in 22 additional airport locations.
In addition to the larger market plans, McAdam said the carrier has seen tremendous response to its call earlier this year to partner with rural operators in expanding LTE coverage. McAdam said Verizon Wireless currently has deals with five rural operators to provide access to the carrier’s 700 MHz spectrum and network infrastructure partners and that it was in formal discussions with 12 additional operators. These deals will be important for Verizon Wireless’ plans to provide near-nationwide coverage by 2013.
The carrier reiterated claims that the network will provide consumers with real-world data speeds of between 5 and 12 megabits per second on the downlink and 2 and five Mbps on the uplink. In addition, McAdam said the network will provide latency less than half of current 3G networks.
McAdam also said the carrier plans to show off six smart phones and tablet devices compatible with the network at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show set for early January. Those devices are expected to be available commercially during the first half of 2011.