Nov 22, 2010 11:19 GMT  ·  By

Slated for a Q4 2010 release, Verizon's 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) network is close to a December launch, as a recent TV ad suggests. Verizon is about to become the second US carrier to offer 4G services to its customers, after Sprint has already rolled out its WiMax (carrier's 4G-level service) this spring.

All the rumors leaked from more or less official sources were pointing to a late-November release, but it looks like the carrier's 4G LTE network service will only be available next month.

Sprint also stated that its Verizon rival will not be able to launch its 4G network earlier than December, which proved to be true in the end.

Verizon also announced at the beginning of October that its 4G LTE network services will be available in 38 US major cities and 62 airports by the end of the year.

The initial launch will start in several major U.S. cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, but will spread quickly.

“We are driven by the vision to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband connectivity and mobility to rural and urban Americans alike. With our initial 4G LTE launch, we will immediately reach more than one-third of all Americans where they live, right from the start. And, we will quickly introduce 4G LTE throughout the Verizon coverage area,” said Lowell C. McAdam, Verizon's COO.

Verizon's 4G network will initially be used for modems, routers, as well as USB broadband devices that would allow laptops to use the 4G service.

The first LTE equipped smartphones are expected to be launched on the market in February 2011, but a larger lot of LTE compatible devices won't be available until 2012.

Check out below Verizon's TV ad that confirms its 4G LTE network launch for December: