Verizon Wireless announced in an statement to the press.
Verizon 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.
Furthermore Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Lakeland and Winter Haven will also receive the 4G LTE coverage by the end of 2011.
Press release
06/21/2011
TAMPA, FL — 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 and Bradenton in 2011, Verizon Wireless announced today.
Sarasota and Bradenton 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 Florida markets that offer Verizon Wireless 4G LTE services.
Other Florida markets scheduled to launch 4G LTE by the end of 2011 include Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Lakeland and Winter Haven. 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 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.