Basking Ridge, N.J. — Verizon Wireless launched a consumer advertising campaign to promote the XLTE brand for the expanded-capacity higher-speed XLTE network available in half of its LTE markets. The campaign includes TV commercials.
The enhanced network combines the carrier’s 700MHz spectrum with 1.7/2.1GHz Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum deployed in high-traffic areas and purchased from cable operators in 2012. XLTE-branded service is available in more than half of Verizon’s 500-plus 4G LTE markets nationwide to more than double spectrum availability, up to 40MHz in most cases. More LTE markets are scheduled to get the enhanced service by the end of the year. The spectrum was rolled out because the carrier’s average download speeds began to suffer as more LTE-equipped smartphones went into use.
Almost all of the devices sold by Verizon are XLTE-ready, including the newest Droid devices; Samsung’s Galaxy S4, S5 and Note 3; and the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s. These XLTE Ready devices automatically access 700MHz spectrum and AWS spectrum. More than 35 percent of all devices operating on the Verizon network are equipped to access AWS spectrum.
Users of XLTE devices aren’t the only ones befitting from the deployment, Verizon noted. Because XLTE creates more “headroom” on the network, customers with non-XLTE devices in XLTE markets “benefit from the added capacity that XLTE brings to high-traffic areas,” Verizon said. “XLTE adds capacity in neighborhoods or areas where demand is high, especially during busy periods like rush hour, lunch times in crowded areas or during events when mobile data use is the highest.”
The network upgrades are said to solve speed-slowing network-capacity problems for at least the next few years. The company continues to promote average 5Mbps to 12Mbps data download speeds, though speeds in XLTE markets could go higher.
