It looks like Big Red didn't like MetroPCS getting the jump on them. We knew Verizon had planned to start rolling out LTE later this year, and yes they were running out of time, but we didn't expect it so soon. Back at CTIA, Verizon announced their plans to roll out their 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in 38 US cities and 60 commercial airports nationwide. Today, they have updated this and added Charleston to the mix, making 39 cities. Charelston should be live sometime between now and the end of Decemeber and the other 9 West Virginia cities between 2011 and 2013. Verizon CTO Tony Melone and senator Jay Rockefeller will be holding a press conference next week to discuss the new network making its way to West Virginia.

Here's a little note from Verizon's press release:

"Verizon Wireless is deploying the world's first large-scale 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to 38 markets and more than 60 commercial airports across the nation, covering more than 110 million Americans. The company will begin its West Virginia wireless expansion and 4G deployment in Charleston this year and roll out to other metropolitan areas throughout the state by 2013.

While Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network promises much more than speed, the first application gives employees the ability to work at significantly faster speeds and improved latency, increasing productivity and the opportunity to get work done where their business takes them."

Hey WV, start getting excited and feel honored to host Big Red's first few LTE cities! You'll be downloading...stuff wirelessly, at blazing speeds in no time flat.

Via Engadget