Air Superiority?

Verizon finally made it official, announcing the availability of its LTE network beginning next Sunday, December 5th. Pricing will start at $50 for 5 GB monthly allowance, with access offered to USB modem users. Smartphones will not follow until mid-2011. 38 metro areas and 60 airports will be covered initially.

Not only is the expected data rate (2-5 up and 5-12 down) comparable to landline speeds, I expect the range of services and devices offered will gradually expand the application areas beyond now-traditional 3G application areas, and begin blurring the distinction between wireless and wireline provinces of the Verizon empire. Note that the “Rule the Air” marketing campaign and rebranding that took place earlier this year erased the “Wireless” from Verizon.