US operator MetroPCS has switched on its second commercial LTE network, following up last week’s Las Vegas launch with deployment today in the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area. The network has been built by Ericsson; this is Ericsson’s first live LTE deployment in the US (following similar deals at AT&T and Verizon) and comes after Samsung’s network build for MetroPCS in Vegas. Few specific details were released, with the launch promoting the same LTE device (Samsung’s Craft) and services as was touted for Las Vegas. Unlimited talk, text and Internet access is again available for US$55 or US$60 a month from the ‘flat-rate, no annual contract’ operator.

“MetroPCS will continue to expand 4G LTE network coverage into all of our markets through 2011 to offer unmatched value in 4G LTE services on a no-contract basis for all of our customers,” noted Roger D. Linquist, president, CEO and chairman of MetroPCS, in a statement. The statement further added that “MetroPCS’ DFW 4G LTE network will cover the majority of MetroPCS’ existing CDMA network footprint in the DFW Metroplex. 4G LTE network rollouts in the remaining MetroPCS markets are planned for later this year and early 2011. MetroPCS plans to further expand 4G LTE coverage in 2011, along with the launch of additional devices to increase MetroPCS’ portfolio of feature phones, touchscreens, smartphones and 4G handsets.” MetroPCS is the US’ first commercial LTE operator (and the fifth-largest US operator), although it is set to be eclipsed later this year by a much larger rollout (up to 30 markets) of the technology from the country’s largest mobile operator Verizon Wireless.