Verizon’s LTE-Advanced Will Expand to 1,100 Markets

Verizon’s is projected to bring commercial 5G services to light in three to five markets by the end of 2018. In addition, the carrier is focused on expanding their reach and quality via their LTE-Advanced network.

LTE-Advanced, or gigabit LTE, is made up of three technologies: carrier aggregation, 4×4 multiple-input/multiple output (MIMO), and 256 QAM. Carrier aggregation allows different spectrum bands to bond into a more larger data pipe. The 4×4 MIMO multiplies capacity while using the available network resources.

As early 5G deployments take place, carriers globally are investing in LTE-Advanced to provide service to users moving in and out of 5G coverage. Nicola Palmer, Verizon’s Chief Network Engineers Officer and Head of Wireless Networks said that this LTE-Advanced expansion is rooted in “customer-focusing planning, disciplined engineering and consistent, strategic investment.”

Previous testing results showed that Verizon aggregated licensed spectrum with unlicensed 5 GHz band and hit speeds of 953Gbps.