Verizon LTE 4G in Murfreesboro

Verizon recently launched their LTE 4G network which includes significant coverage in Middle Tennessee. According to their coverage map, 4G is available essentially everywhere in Murfreesboro.

4G refers to a next generation data network that offers much higher mobile data speeds. LTE is the type of technology that Verizon is using which is different from that offered by Sprint (WiMax) or AT&T/T-Mobile(HSPA+). Verizon claims this technology will result in real-world download speeds of 5-12 Mbps and 2-5 Mbps upload.

I recently tested a Pantech UML290 LTE USB modem in 4 different locations around town. Each of these results is the average of 5 measurements at that location.

As you can tell, the numbers are not perfectly consistent with signal strength. However, in all cases these speeds are fast for mobile data. I was able to get good data speeds even in poor locations, and when I had a good signal the connection was nearly unbelievable. For comparison, using Comcast cable internet over WiFi at home gave average speeds of 6.2 Mbps download and 3.7 Mbps upload. You can get much higher speeds over cable using a wired connection or ordering a higher tier. This is a typical connection for most people though.

At this point, there are no phones available using LTE on Verizon - only modems for your laptop. Phones will be coming soon however, and I recommend taking a hard look at them if you want some of the fastest mobile data currently available in the United States. Hopefully smartphones will show similar speed results without a huge hit on battery life. We should know before too much longer.