Verizon launched LTE Advanced service in 461 cities across the United States.
The network upgrade uses carrier aggregation to combine two or three bandwidth channels into one larger channel. Verizon is using a combination of 700 MHz, AWS, and PCS spectrum.
Verizon said users should expect 50 percent faster peak speeds when using one of the 39 LTE Advanced-capable phones and tablets already on Verizon’s network – including top-selling Samsung Galaxy S6 and S7 smartphones, Moto Droids and Apple iPhones. There is no additional cost to the user and no customer device update is required. Customers will continue to see typical download speeds of 5 – 12 Mbps, but two-channel carrier aggregation can deliver peak download speeds of up to 225 Mbps.
Verizon is also launching a national advertising and social media campaign to support its LTE Advanced rollout.
“Our customers just received a major network enhancement for no additional cost,” said Tami Erwin, head of operations for Verizon’s wireless unit. “Verizon LTE Advanced works like a turbocharger on an engine. Speed boosts kick in when you need it most, with big data use. That’s when you get the big peak boost of Verizon LTE Advanced.”
- Verizon first launched commercial LTE service in 2010.
