Verizon network will challenge Comcast, AT&T

Verizon Wireless plans to roll out a lightning-fast data network next year in Chicago, part of a continued push to grab more money from customers who want the Internet anywhere, anytime. The company will test its long-term evolution, or LTE, service in Boston and Seattle later this year, and Chicago will be among the first 25 markets to get the service in 2010. The new network ultimately will put Verizon in competition with Internet providers such as Comcast and AT&T, in the same way wireless carriers have competed with traditional phone companies as more customers have dropped land lines in favor of their cell phones. Demand for data services is growing dramatically: Verizon's data revenue grew 33% in the second quarter, pushing revenue per user up 28%. Initially, Verizon's upgrade will allow customers to receive data at about 7 megabits per second, compared with about 1.5 megabits on its current third-generation network. The biggest benefit promises to be in reduced wait times, or latency, between clicks while surfing the Web, particularly for video. It will be available first for computers via a plug-in device called an air card. Wireless phones that can use the service won't hit stores until 2011.