4G Service Officially Launches in Mobile, Pensacola

It's officially "Launch Day" for Verizon's 4G coverage in Mobile and Pensacola - the moment local tech fanatics have been waiting for. News 5 visited a local Verizon Wireless store on launch day to test the service for themselves.

Lauren Styler

MOBILE, Alabama - For a time it seemed like 4G was exclusive only to the nation's largest cities. But today, after months of waiting, those "lightning-fast"speeds are now available for Gulf Coast devices.

News 5 witnessed Verizon Wireless staff members compare 4G coverage to their 3G service on cell phones, tablets and laptops. The difference is obvious.

"If you're a business owner or if you're a soccer mom, it's gonna give you the opportunity to make sure you can get more time back into your day," said District Manager Jason LeClear.

Verizon launched 4G "LTE" (Long Term Evolution) in Pensacola Wednesday and Mobile on Thursday. The company claims customers will now be able to surf the Web, download files, and share music and photos up to ten times faster than before. Verizon's 4G coverage already reaches 110 million Americans, and Mobile and Pensacola are included in a five-city expansion.

And thank goodness, because according to LeClear, people here love to talk and surf more than most. "Mobile and the Gulf Coast area was one of the highest areas for data usage in the nation," said LeClear.

When customers now travel outside of a 4G area, their devices should automatically connect to Verizon's 3G network, so they won't be disconnected. But remember, you must have a 4G device to use the faster service. Companies in our area have been celling the 4G cell phones in laptops in preparation for the launch, but nobody has been able to use them to full capacity until now.