Verizon Wireless claims that next year’s launch of its LTE network will enable average downlink data rates per user of 5-12 Mb/s and 2-5 Mb/s in the uplink. The figures were made public on a website promoting the technology and are said to be “over 10x faster than current 3G technology.” Interestingly, WiMAX service provider Clearwire says its network gives “average mobile download speeds of 3 – 6 Mb/s with bursts over 10 Mb/s.* Although Verizon’s LTE website does not reveal specific launch dates, it does state that “Verizon Wireless will be the first in the US and among the first in the world to launch LTE, starting with 25 to 30 markets in 2010, covering approximately 100 million people; and extending to cover our current 3G footprint in 2013.”

Verizon first announced its LTE plans at the GSMA Mobile World Congress last February. The networks will use its nationwide swath of 700 MHz spectrum, covering the entire lower 48 states as well as Hawaii. The network will handover to its 3G EVDO network when out of reach of LTE. Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson are building the radio access network. The GSMA claims that 50 mobile operators worldwide have already committed to LTE plans, trials or deployments.