Verizon Wireless is ahead of schedule on the completion of its 4G LTE network rollout, according to Fran Shammo. At the Wells Fargo Securities Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, the Verizon Communications CFO said the company will finish its LTE deployment by mid-2013, which is six months sooner than the original plan. Big Red’s LTE network now covers an impressive 80% of the US population, which is good for about 250 million people. The goal is to expand coverage to 260 million consumers by the end of 2012. In comparison, competing carrier AT&T won’t reach the 250 million mark until the end of 2013. While the popularity of the iPhone and Android-powered devices have had a direct impact on Verizon’s success in recent years, Shammo is hoping Windows Phone 8 will take Microsoft’s mobile platform to new heights in 2013. Verizon will release three new Windows Phones in November and December: the HTC Windows Phone 8X, Nokia Lumia 822 and Samsung ATIV Odyssey – all with 4G LTE connectivity enabled.
Source: FierceWireless