Verizon promises full 4G release info December 1

Verizon at last committed to firmer details of its LTE-based 4G network today with word that it would hold a press event on December 1. Company CTO Tony Melone will provide information on the "major 4G LTE network launch." The company is only providing access to the event from the phone or by Twitter and hasn't given other clues as to what will be involved beyond what was already known.

TV ads have already been running that pointed to December for the rollout, which would give the network just weeks to fulfill its claims of having a 4G network ready in 2010.

The company has said that it plans to initially supply 4G to 38 cities, including 60 airports, and should reach about 110 million potential subscribers. LTE on Verizon's network is officially estimated to reach between 5Mbps and 12Mbps in typical downloads and 2Mbps to 5Mbps in uploads, although peak speeds as high as 28Mbps have been seen in better conditions. The first devices available are likely to be LG and Pantech USB modems.

Phones aren't expected until 2011 but could appear at the very start of the year. The first models should use Android and are known to include the HTC Incredible HD, a high performance variant of the Desire HD with a 4.3-inch screen but a different design and the requisite LTE support.

By Electronista Staff