If you're a big fan of LTE (long term evolution) mobile data, AT&T has news.

The wireless provider announced it's deployed true LTE service in the Moscow-Pullman area.

So, to confuse things, the way mobile connectivity works, LTE is considered important because it qualifies as “true 4G” service. True 4G data speeds are generally 10 times faster than mobile 3G networks.

Verizon, Spring and AT&T all offer 4G service in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene.  Verizon can properly claim to be the first wireless carrier with LTE service in Spokane.

AT&T hasn't said when it will bring LTE service into Spokane. At present, it offers a hybrid network here called 4G HSPA+. And that, according to an AT&T spokesman, is roughly four times faster than 3G.

If you're a big fan of LTE (long term evolution) mobile data, AT&T has news.

The wireless provider announced it's deployed true LTE service in the Moscow-Pullman area.

So, to confuse things, the way mobile connectivity works, LTE is considered important because it qualifies as “true 4G” service. True 4G data speeds are generally 10 times faster than mobile 3G networks.

Verizon, Spring and AT&T all offer 4G service in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene.  Verizon can properly claim to be the first wireless carrier with LTE service in Spokane.

AT&T hasn't said when it will bring LTE service into Spokane. At present, it offers a hybrid network here called 4G HSPA+. And that, according to an AT&T spokesman, is roughly four times faster than 3G.

Verizon Wireless will expand 4G service in the Inland Northwest later this year, to include Chewelah, Coeur d’Alene, Colville, Deer Lake, Harrison, Hayden, Kellogg, Kettle Falls, Newport, Post Falls, Priest Lake, Sandpoint, Spirit Lake, St. Maries and Washington State University's Pullman campus.

This week, T-Mobile announced it's upgraded and unleashed a new, more robust 4G service for Spokane-area customers. Last week Verizon Wireless also released a 4G upgrade for area subscribers.

Here's part of the release from T-Mobile:

Today, T-Mobile announced it is doubling the speed of its 4G network in the Spokane area, providing customers with increased capacity, reliability and even more consistent, faster speeds.

T-Mobile currently offers more than a dozen 4G-capable devices spanning smartphones, tablets and mobile broadband products that will benefit from America’s Largest 4G Network™. The company has seen average download speeds approaching 10Mbps with peak speeds of 27Mbps on the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 laptop stick—the company’s first 42Mbps device.

The map of the upgrade includes a wide range of the city, including Riverfront Park, SFCC, Gonzaga University, Riverside State Park, Spokane Fairgrounds, Avista, downtown, and the Spokane Arena.

Notably, the upgrade also includes Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

Anyone in Sandpoint a T-Mobile customer who can see if the upgrade has occurred there, as well?

Meanwhile: federal regulators are still quietly looking at the proposed acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T. No news recently on which way the winds are blowing on that topic.
  

IF 4G is a big deal to you, here's some positive news.

On Thursday this week, Verizon Wireless customers in Spokane can start getting downloads and streaming data at up 10 times faster than the previous speed as the carrier turns on its Eastern Washington 4G network.

Some folks here have noted that they were catching whiffs of 4G being beta-tested.

The tests have ended, according to a release, and 4G goes live this week.

The communities enabled for 4G include Airway Heights, Dishman Hills, Greenacres, Liberty Lake, Mead,  Greenacres, Millwood, Opportunity, Otis Orchards, Seven Mile, downtown, South Hill, Spokane Valley, Trentwood.

North Idaho is not yet part of the rollout.