TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced earlier this month that its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network now covers 200 million people in 190 major markets across the United States, a little more than a year after its initial launch. Thirteen of those markets are in Florida– Miami, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Lakeland, Daytona Beach, Sarasota/Bradenton, Tallahassee, Fort Myers, Pensacola and West Palm Beach– giving consumers and businesses in the Sunshine Sate broad access to one of the most expansive and fast-growing 4G LTE networks in the nation.

The rapid rollout of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network in Florida since its launch just 12 months ago means that 75 percent of the state's population already is covered by the most advanced wireless technology in the world. No other wireless company in the state can match that 4G LTE coverage.

Verizon Wireless has announced plans to cover the company's entire network footprint with 4G LTE by the end of 2013.

"Introducing the 4G LTE network has been the fastest rollout of any next-generation network in our company's history, and more than twice as fast as our previous 3G build-out," said Frank Wise, network executive director for the Verizon Wireless Florida region. "Wireless users in Florida are very savvy, and demand the fastest and most advanced services – and the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network provides an experience like no other."

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 LTE coverage area, devices automatically connect to the Verizon Wireless 3G network, the largest and most reliable in the nation, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network was named the "Fastest 4G Network Yet" by Popular Science's 2011 Best of What's New Awards, and also was ranked No. 1 on PC World's [ 100 Best Products of 2011 ].

For film buffs, 4G LTE means streaming their favorite director's cut with no annoying buffering, or downloading and viewing full-length high-definition quality movies. Music lovers can download songs in seconds, gamers can take part in multiplayer online action, and social media types can upload photos and posts almost instantly. And business owners use the efficiency and speed of the 4G LTE network to impact their bottom line.

Verizon Wireless customers can purchase a variety of 4G LTE-enabled devices, including notebooks and netbooks; hotspots and modems; and smartphones and tablets to connect to the largest 4G LTE network in the nation. Details on each device can be found at [ www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE ] and information on plans and pricing is available at [ www.verizonwireless.com/plans ].

As the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy 4G LTE technology, Verizon Wireless is committed to building its 4G network with the same 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.

For more information on 4G LTE and 4G LTE devices, visit [ www.verizonwireless.com ].

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 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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Floridians Enjoy Benefits of Rapid 4G LTE Network Build-Out in 2011

Floridians Enjoy Benefits of Rapid 4G LTE Network Build-Out in 2011

13 In-State Markets, 200 Million People in U.S. Now Covered by Advanced High-Speed Wireless Network