Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:15 pm
Verizon Wireless has completed initial testing of its 4G wireless service -- offering speeds five to 10 times faster than existing networks -- and said it will start the commercial roll out in 2010.
Using a new technology called Long Term Evolution (LTE), Verizon successfully made calls in Boston and Seattle -- the first two cities to offer the service.
The calls used the new 700 MHz spectrum, recently freed up for cellular use after being assigned to TV stations.
Verizon Wireless' chief technology officer, Tony Melone, said the commercial launch would yield average download speeds of 7 to 12 Mbps.
Sprint has already launched its commercial 4G service -- operated by Clearwire -- using a technology called WiMax.
Verizon will begin its commercial 4G launch in 2010 -- initially in 30 markets -- before gradually covering the entire nation covered by 2013.
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