TAMPA, Fla.,July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's fastest and most advanced 4G LTE (Fourth Generation/Long-Term Evolution) wireless network will be available to customers in the core areas of Sarasota-Bradenton and Lakeland-Winter Haven beginning July 21, Verizon Wireless announced today.

These newest markets will join Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Gainesville as well as along Duval Street in Key West and in the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, as areas that already offer Verizon Wireless 4G LTE services.

Other Florida markets scheduled to launch 4G LTE by the end of 2011 include Fort Myers and Daytona Beach. Verizon Wireless expects to complete its 4G LTE wireless network throughout Florida and across the country by 2013.

4G LTE provides wireless consumers access to services up to 10 times faster than the company's industry-leading 3G network. With this latest progression of wireless technology, the company expects average data rates in real-world, loaded network environments to be 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

These speeds will allow for smooth mobile video-conferencing, multiple simultaneous video streams, speedy transfer of large files, downloading and running of powerful programs, and numerous other applications to improve efficiency and productivity wirelessly.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE technology also will improve coverage strength inside buildings, as it runs on a powerful 700 megahertz wireless frequency.

"Florida customers already have a lot of wireless power in their hands with 4G LTE, and this announced expansion in Sarasota-Bradenton and Lakeland-Winter Haven will add to that," said Pam Tope, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless. "We're proud to bring this superior technology to wireless customers in more areas across the state."

Florida customers will be able to access 4G LTE services on a suite of new devices including smartphones from HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung; tablets from Motorola and Samsung; a MiFi from Novatel Wireless and a mobile hotspot from Samsung; two notebooks from HP; and wireless modems from LG and Pantech.

All the 4G LTE devices are "backward compatible" and – when not in a 4G LTE coverage area –provide access to the Verizon Wireless 3G network, which already covers 98 percent of Florida's population and landmass.

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

Visit [ www.verizonwireless.com ] for more information on Verizon Wireless 3G and 4G LTE networks, products and services.

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

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Advanced 4G LTE Wireless Network to Launch July 21 in Sarasota-Bradenton, Lakeland-Winter Haven

Advanced 4G LTE Wireless Network to Launch July 21 in Sarasota-Bradenton, Lakeland-Winter Haven

More Florida Customers to Enjoy Fastest, Most Advanced Wireless Technology