Verizon Wireless adds Detroit to LTE line up

Verizon Wireless (VZ) reported the first expansion of its LTE network since the launch of service late last year adding Detroit to its service area. The carrier said the launch follows the clearing up of some spectrum interference from Canadian television stations.
The carrier said that beginning Feb. 17 its LTE service will officially cover more than 80% of the population of the Detroit area. Verizon Wireless noted that after the launch its network will cover 39 major metropolitan areas and 60 commercial airports across the country.
Verizon Wireless claims its LTE service provides real-world download speeds of between 5 and 12 megabits per second and upload speeds of between 2 and 5 Mbps.
Verizon Wireless announced last week that it had completed its first voice call over the LTE network. The carrier said it does not expect to launch commercial Voice over LTE services until next year.
Verizon Wireless added that it plans to cover approximately 200 million potential customers by the middle of 2012 and its entire CDMA network coverage area by the end of 2013.
The carrier is also continuing to push its LTE services into rural areas having recently announced an agreement with a sixth rural operator to participate in its LTE in Rural America program.