Verizon 4G LTE Service Now Available To More Than Two-Thirds of U.S. Population

Starting today, Verizon Wireless will cover more than two-thirds of the U.S. population after introducing its 4G LTE network to 27 new markets and expanding in 44 other markets.

The carrier first introduced this speedy cellular-wireless data service in late 2010, and has been expanding it ever since. The following markets have been introduced to the Verizon 4G LTE network today:

• Auburn and Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Pine Bluff, Siloam Springs and Van Buren, Arkansas
• Visalia/Porterville, California
• Fort Walton Beach and Ocala, Florida
• Brunswick, LaGrange and Macon/Warner Robins, Georgia
• Peoria, Illinois
• Kokomo/Logansport and Marion, Indiana
• Dodge City, Garden City, Great Bend and Hays, Kansas
• Salisbury, Maryland
• Cattaraugus/Allegany, New York
• Sandusky, Ohio
• Ardmore and Ponca City, Oklahoma
• Salem/Albany/Corvallis, Oregon
• Pierre, South Dakota
• Big Springs and Tyler, Texas

Verizon also announced that it has expanded its network in a wide range of cities such as Phoenix, Ariz.; San Diego and San Francisco, Calif.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Des Moines, Iowa; Boston, Mass.; Detroit, Mich.; St. Louis, Mo; Las Vegas, Nev.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Portland, Ore.; Nashville, Tenn.; and many more.

The Big Red continues to lead the market in 4G LTE deployment with about 230 markets across the United States. As it stands now, its LTE network covers six times the geographical area of AT&T's LTE network. By the end of 2012, the Verizon 4G LTE network will be made available to more than 260 million people in over 400 markets around the country.

David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless, said "We will continue to introduce new markets and expand covered markets to ensure even more wireless users across the United States can take advantage of the benefits that 4G LTE brings to consumers, small businesses, and enterprises."

The carrier currently offers more than 20 4G LTE-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wireless access points. In real-world environments, these products offer average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.