Verizon CFO predicts mid-2013 completion for 4G LTE buildout

Verizon will finish LTE buildout six months ahead of schedule

Despite AT&T's renewed commitment to its infrastructure this week, aggressive 4G LTE deployment will have an early payoff next year for rival Verizon Wireless as the carrier completes its own buildout ahead of schedule.

While speaking at the Wells Fargo Securities Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Thursday, Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo announced the carrier would wrap up work on its LTE network six months earlier than originally planned.

According to a report from Fierce Wireless, Shammo said Verizon's LTE network now covers 250 million people - roughly 80 percent of the U.S. population - and is expected to reach 260 million by year's end.

"You can see that people are massively migrating to that network," Shammo said in the wake of Verizon's third-quarter results, which revealed 14.9 million postpaid devices now using its LTE network.

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With 35 percent of Verizon's data traffic traveling over LTE, Verizon expects to complete its network upgrades by mid-2013.

By comparison, AT&T announced a new initiative Wednesday to reach 300 million customers with its own LTE network by the end of 2014, long after Verizon has completed their own work.

Shammo said the company was also pleasantly surprised by the rapid adoption of its new shared data plans, with 13 percent of its customer base now using Share Everything.

The Verizon CFO also revealed that its recent $3.9 billion deal to purchase nationwide AWS spectrum from cable providers has given the carrier enough spectrum for the next five years, although he declined to elaborate on when it might actually be deployed.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/broadband/verizon-cfo-predicts-mid-2013-completion-for-4g-lte-buildout-1111193

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AT&T lays out plans to cover 300 million with 4G LTE by end of 2014

AT&T commits to $14 billion in network improvements over the next 3 years

AT&T has announced significant expansion and infrastructure investments to support future growth, including a scheme to extend 4G LTE coverage to 300 million Americans over the next two years.

The carrier announced plans Wednesday to invest $14 billion in the next three years to augment its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks, which promises to offer high-speed data access to 99 percent of its customers in wireline service areas.

The investment plan is called Project Velocity IP (VIP), an initiative aimed at supporting growing customer demand for high-speed internet access across the country.

AT&T plans to expand its 4G LTE network dramatically between now and the end of 2014, when it expects to service 300 million customers.

Eye to the future

Not just focused on wireless, AT&T's will also expand its wired IP broadband network to 75 percent of customer locations by the end of 2015 across 22 states, where the services are offered.

"This is a major commitment to invest in 21st century communications infrastructure for the United States and bring high-speed Internet connectivity - 4G LTE mobile and wireline IP broadband - to millions more Americans," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer.

"Revenues in our key growth areas - wireless data, U-verse and strategic business services - are all growing at a strong double-digit rate.

"Project VIP expands our potential in these key platforms and makes them available to many more customers."

Stephenson noted that such a significant capital investment would is only possible because of AT&T's "strong balance sheet," and considers the plan to be "logical extensions" of the company's proven technologies.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/broadband/at-t-lays-out-plans-to-cover-300-million-with-4g-lte-by-end-of-2014-1110855

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AT&T 4G LTE to cover 300 million people by end of 2014

AT&T commits to $14 billion in network improvements over the next 3 years

AT&T has announced significant expansion and infrastructure investments to support future growth, including LTE coverage for 300 million Americans over the next two years.

On Wednesday, AT&T announced plans to invest $14 billion over the next three years to augment its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks, which promises to offer 99 percent of its customers in wireline service areas high-speed data access.

The investment plan is called Project Velocity IP (VIP), an initiative aimed at supporting growing customer demand for high-speed internet access across the country.

AT&T plans to expand its 4G LTE network dramatically between now and the end of 2014, when it expects to service 300 million customers.

Eye to the future

Not just about wireless, AT&T's wired IP broadband network will also be expanded to 75 percent of customer locations by the end of 2015 across 22 states where the services are offered.

"This is a major commitment to invest in 21st Century communications infrastructure for the United States and bring high-speed Internet connectivity - 4G LTE mobile and wireline IP broadband - to millions more Americans," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer.

"Revenues in our key growth areas - wireless data, U-verse and strategic business services - are all growing at a strong double-digit rate. Project VIP expands our potential in these key platforms and makes them available to many more customers."

Stephenson noted that such a significant capital investment would is only possible because of AT&T's "strong balance sheet," and considers the plan to be "logical extensions" of the company's proven technologies.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/broadband/at-t-4g-lte-to-cover-300-million-people-by-end-of-2014-1110855

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