BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced that beginning today it is turning on the world's most advanced wireless network in six more metropolitan areas, as well as expanding the 4G LTE network in Charlotte, N.C.  The areas where the 4G LTE network will now be available include Clarksville, Tenn.-Hopkinsville, Ky.; Cleveland, Tenn.; Columbia and Hilton Head, S.C.; Wilmington, N.C.; and the Greater Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.

David Small, chief technical officer for Verizon Wireless, noted, "As of today, we will offer consumers and businesses in 45 metropolitan areas the most advanced 4G wireless network on the planet, while continuing to offer the nation's most reliable 3G network coast to coast.  We plan to aggressively light up 4G in new cities and bring our blazingly fast 4G LTE network to more than 100 additional cities in the next nine months."  

Consumers can choose from several devices to access the blazingly fast speeds of the 4G LTE network, including the ThunderBolt™ by HTC, MiFi^® 4510L 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot and Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot.  Laptop users have been enjoying speeds up to 10 times faster than the company's 3G network with three USB modems from Novatel, Pantech and LG since the 4G LTE network launched in December 2010.  In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

When customers travel outside of a 4G coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.  Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable network in the country, allowing customers with laptops and smartphones to download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps; and can rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more, work on-the-go with fast file sharing and stream must-see video and customized radio stations.  Customers in 3G coverage areas today who purchase 4G devices will be able to take advantage of 4G speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas.  

Verizon Wireless is building its 4G LTE network with the same commitment to performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized.  Verizon Wireless' consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year.  The company's 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G, including a contiguous, nationwide network license.  

Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network isn't only about major cities – the company is also working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless' core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum.  Already, seven rural companies have signed on to leverage Verizon Wireless' scale for infrastructure while keeping their customers on the cutting edge of technology.  

While Verizon Wireless' 3G network covers more than 290 million Americans, its 4G LTE network already reaches 110 million people and is available today in the following metropolitan areas:

Since 2007, when Verizon Wireless jump-started the global 4G LTE ecosystem with its selection of LTE for its 4G technology, the company has developed deep partnerships to spearhead a broad LTE ecosystem, with many being fostered at the LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., and the Application Innovation Center, slated to open in San Francisco later this year.  

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.  

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network.  The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE,NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE,NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless