Verizon Starts Upgrading 3G Networks To 4G LTE In 10 Cities

Verizon has started to cannibalize its existing 3G network to 4G LTE capabilities. The company is rolling out LTE on its PCS bands, earlier used for EV-DO in 10 markets. 

Switching changes from 3G to 4G services have already started in Manhattan, New York City, according to reports. 

"In Manhattan, PCS is up with LTE. It puts us in even a better situation, because you've got another 10×10 block out there right now," Mike Haberman, vice president of network operations said, according to GigaOM. 

EV-DO network usage has decreased for Verizon as users continue to upgrade to new phones, hence it is a forgone conclusion that company would repurpose its spectrum. 

Report suggests around 80 percent of Verizon's data traffic already runs on LTE.

 "Virtually all our devices now are 4G LTE. We do sell a lot of phones and people tend to upgrade their phones fairly often,"Haberman said. "If you see Apple's complete lineup, it's all 4G."

Haberman highlighted the fact that it only takes 2.5 MHz of spectrum to keep a minimal 2G network online, therefore a plenty of spectrum can be reclaimed. 

Verizon has committed to support EV-DO until at least December 31, 2019, Haberman added. 

Apart from upgrading, Verizon is also woking on implementing carrier aggregation - an LTE advanced feature that will allow Verizon to combine the transmission of LTE networks together. Devices supporting this technology are expected to hit stores next year. Earlier this year Samsung sold a special version of the Galaxy S5 supporting carrier aggregation in Korea. AT&T turned on carrier aggregation earlier this year. 

Verizon is also working with AT&T to enable voice over (VoLTE) wireless calls through data networks. VoLTE will enable HD voice quality and other features, Verizon said. 

The first VoLTE services in the U.S. were offered in 2012 by MetroPCS, which was later acquired by T-Mobile.