AT&T is going full throttle with the rollout of its LTE network with today’s launch of seven new markets and expansion in two others, bringing its total LTE markets to 60.
The carrier lit up LTE in Anchorage, Ala.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Bridgeport, Conn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Modesto, Calif.; Omaha, Neb.; and Syracuse, N.Y. The company expanded markets in northern New Jersey and the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas.
AT&T has also promised to deploy 47 additional LTE markets by the end of 2012.
AT&T’s flurry of LTE-related press releases over the past couple of days come just ahead of Apple’s planned Sept. 12 press event, where it is widely believed the company will unveil an LTE-capable iPhone. With the iPhone currently being offered on Verizon and Sprint, which also offer LTE, the more markets the better for anyone hoping to retain customers via iPhone upgrades.
AT&T finds itself in the middle of the pack as LTE rollouts are concerned. The carrier sits far behind Verizon, which recently announced that it has deployed LTE in more than 75 percent of the U.S. population, with plans to complete its network by the end of 2013. Sprint, on the other hand, has about 19 total LTE markets covered, while T-Mobile hopes to begin deployments in 2013.
