Maimpok

The race to have the biggest 4G coverage is heating up now, as AT&T has just announced they are getting ready to invest $14 billion in their LTE network. Currently, Verizon is leading the way in LTE deployment and speed, but AT&T might be able to change that by 2014.

The plan emphasizes the growth AT&T is getting ready to achieve. They are expecting to cover over 300 million Americans by 2014, which according to the company, is “99 percent of all customer location.” Now, before AT&T is able to make the needed changes and upgrades, they will need the FCC to approve and release additional spectrum, which might be a harder task than simply asking nicely.
Randall Stephenson, AT&T CEO had the following to say about this plan:

This is a major commitment to invest in 21st Century communications infrastructure for the United States and bring high-speed Internet connectivity — 4G LTE mobile and wireline IP broadband — to millions more Americans. We have the opportunity to improve AT&T’s revenue growth and cost structure for years to come, and create substantial value for shareowners.

The end result is that, hopefully, users will have a choice between AT&T’s huge LTE 4G network and similar LTE networks offered by the competition, including T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon – all four major U.S. mobile operators are investing in 4G LTE technology, with T-Mobile being the last one to join the party.