Verizon Wireless brings 4G LTE to more cities, looks to LTE-A next

Verizon Wireless proclaimed its roll-out of 4G LTE is "substantially complete" two and half years after it began, announcing the high-speed mobile data network is available in 500 U.S. markets.

The carrier has led the way in providing widespread 4G coverage. But it is struggling to consistently provide data speeds as fast as on AT&T’s younger and less congested network. Verizon now is turning to improving its 4G service to handle consumers' growing appetite for mobile data. It also has begun to test audio and video calling on the more robust network. In places such as Alaska, Verizon has a 4G network but no 3G network. While Verizon customers can browse the web using the 4G network, they must use the towers of other carriers to make phone calls. By next year, it hopes to let devices tap into 4G towers across the country to make audio and video phone calls. The company said 95% of the U.S. population has access to 4G, up from 90% eight months ago.