(Image Source: VentureBeat)


BY ADAM FALK


AT&T is having a small get together with a few friends. If your name is Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio, Dallas / Fort Worth or Houston, you’re in luck. The carrier launched its 4G LTE network in your area on Sunday.

LTE stands for Long-term evolution, the fastest 4G broadband service out there. But AT&T didn’t start the trend. It’s major competitors, including Verizon, currently boast LTE on a range of devices. ZDNet says AT&T is two steps behind - not fashionably late. (Video source: Verizon Wireless)

“For being the second largest mobile provider in the United States and one of the largest in the world, it has certainly taken AT&T a while to catch up to the competition with a 4G LTE network.“

And a writer for VentureBeat says maybe -- just maybe -- this will help save potential AT&T turncoats.

“If I had a nickel for every time an AT&T subscriber said they’re switching to Verizon as soon as Apple’s new iPhone 5comes out I could afford to buy a new iPhone 5. Hopefully this LTE network will help AT&T keep their customers from jumping ship.”

And what’s an AT&T story without an Apple rumor? PC Magazine has the dish.

“Interestingly, AT&T has already launched an iPad-specific data plan called the ‘No-Commitment iPad DataConnect Plan,’ sparking rumors that Apple will launch a next-generation iPad, the so-called iPad 3, with LTE support much sooner than expected.”

Don’t get too excited just yet. AT&T isn’t saying where the party is headed next, but InformationWeek says be prepared.

“If you already use one of AT&T’s data-only products, now is a good time to upgrade to the latest gear. If your market isn’t covered by AT&T’s flavor of LTE, it will be eventually.”

A writer in Chicago, one of the cities invited to AT&T’s LTE, reminds readers there are only four devices that currently work on the network - none of them are smartphones.

However Dave Fine, AT&T’s vice president and general manager for Illinois and Wisconsin, tells the Chicago Tribune...

“AT&T [will] have 20 4G devices by year-end, with 'a number of them' compatible with the LTE network”

According to InformationWeek, AT&T will expand the LTE party to 15 markets and 70 million people by the end of the year. By comparison, Verizon’s live in 143 markets for 160 million people.
 

Transcript by Newsy.