Dec 9, 2011 - Now that the top three major networks in the United States carry the iPhone, the race to deploy full LTE-advanced data networks across the United States has begun. So far Verizon has been the most successful in carrying out its promise with its 4G LTE network, but only customers in major metropolitan areas such as New York and Washington D.C. will benefit from the blazingly fast speeds.

Setting the groundwork for an LTE-advanced network would means speeds up to 16 times faster than what is currently available on current 4G networks. All three major carriers have plans to have an LTE-advanced network in place by 2013, but the extent of these networks and the impact that their announcement and subsequent deployment will have on subscriber numbers for the Big Three remains to be seen. Both Sprint and AT&T have committed to a 2013 release schedule, while Verizon is being much more reserved about its estimations.

With speeds of up to 1 Gb/s for stationary users and up to 100 Mb/s for users on the move, networks are scrambling over one another in order to deploy LTE-advanced within a timely manner. Judging by the current network growth, it would seem as though Verizon may be on track to be the first carrier in the United States to offer such astounding speeds. Currently its 4G network is the most expansive across the country, with Sprint coming in at a well-established second place. AT&T has done far less in the 4G arena, which puts to light several doubts about whether or not the network will be able to meet its 2013 deployment schedule.

Other benefits of a deployed LTE-advanced network are that services, such as clear 4g, will have better speeds to offer its customers. Other satellite Internet service providers will also benefit from the massive move toward LTE-advanced deployment, though these advancements will likely not be seen to full effect until after 2013.