Verizon Wireless, owner of America’s largest 4G Long Term Evolution network, is expanding its 4G LTE service to Richmond, Connersville, Liberty and Cambridge City on Thursday, Sept. 20, allowing businesses and residents to tap into the nation’s fastest wireless network that now covers 75 percent of the U.S. population in 371 markets.

In Indiana, Verizon Wireless now has expanded 4G LTE to cover more than 179 Indiana cities and towns, most recently including communities in Wayne, Fayette and Union counties.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.3 billion in its Indiana network since 2000, including $159 million in 2011 alone, to increase coverage and capacity for its customers.

Within Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE service area, Verizon customers with 4G LTE-enabled devices can stream video, share music and photos, surf the Web and download files at speeds up to 10 times faster than customers on 3G networks. For businesses using the network, the increasing spread of broadband connectivity provides the most sophisticated wireless capabilities for economic advancement.

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE customers in the coverage area should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits (Mbps) per second on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

“People across Indiana are increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained,” said John Granby, president–Indiana/Kentucky/Michigan Region, Verizon Wireless. “Our investment in Indiana has kept us ahead of these consumer trends and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices.”

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area in Indiana or elsewhere, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas.