Verizon Expanding 4G LTE Network on Eve of iPhone 5 Release Date

Verizon has announced that it will expanding its 4G LTE network again on September 20th, just a day before the rumored iPhone 5 release date.

The carrier has detailed its expansion plans for the coming weeks in a series of announcements on its website. The carrier made the announcements today shortly after Sprint, a likely iPhone 5 competitor, announced a massive expansion for its 4G LTE network for the end of the year.

Verizon also announced a number of expansions that will take place on September 20th as well meaning customers in markets already serviced by Verizon’s high-speed 4G LTE network will see a larger swath of service later this month.

Read: Sprint 4G LTE Hitting 100+ Cities ‘Months’ after iPhone 5 Release.

Here is the breakdown. Places in the U.S. that will see brand new 4G LTE service in the weeks ahead include:

• Coffeyville, Kansas
• Emporia, Kansas
• Lawrence, Kansas
• Rolla, Missouri

The three markets in Kansas will be lit up on September 20th while Verizon says the coming weeks for Rolla, Missouri. We assume that it will see 4G LTE service on September 20th as well though.

Verizon has also announced that it has installed a new cell site in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which will improve 4G LTE service that is already in the area.

As for expansions, Verizon says that it will expanding in two markets in Kansas:

• Hays, Kansas
• Kansas City, Missouri

Both of those locations should see expanded service on September 20th.

What makes that date so interesting isn’t the fact that it’s this month, it’s that it’s a day before the iPhone 5 is likely going to hit shelves.

A source has confirmed to Gotta Be Mobile that September 21st is the iPhone 5 release date and that information was backed up by several other reports that also state that that is Apple’s target date for the iPhone 5 release.

Read: iPhone 5 with Global 4G LTE a Done Deal, Says WSJ.

If true, Verizon’s 4G LTE plans would fall on the eve of its release, something that could entice owners in these areas and several others that were announced on September 7th into buying an iPhone 5 on Verizon’s network should it have 4G LTE.

Verizon currently boasts the nations largest 4G LTE network with over 300 markets in place. The next closest is AT&T which has under 100 and Sprint which just launched its network back in July and is now playing catch up.