US-based cellco Verizon Wireless has revealed the results of its ongoing Long Term Evolution (LTE) field tests in Boston and Seattle, reporting that the test networks had produced peak speeds of 50Mbps (downlink) and 25Mbps (uplink). Verizon said that in terms of practical use the network will be able to produce average downlink speeds of 5Mbps-12Mbps and average upload speeds of 2Mbps-5Mbps. The company confirmed that it is on track to meet its estimated rollout plans, expecting to deploy commercial LTE networks in 25-30 markets by end-2010, before doubling its footprint in 2011. Tony Melone, Verizon senior vice president and CTO, said in a statement: ¡®Our LTE rollout plan positions Verizon Wireless to be a global leader in 4G LTE deployment. We are on track to deliver an outstanding wireless data experience to customers in 25 to 30 markets covering roughly 100 million people by year's end¡­ As device makers, manufacturers and others around the world begin to introduce newer and faster products to take advantage of these incredible new speeds, Verizon Wireless will be positioned to offer our customers new and exciting products on the nation's first 4G LTE network.¡¯

Meanwhile, Verizon, Juniper Networks, NEC Corporation of America and Finisar have announced the successful completion of a joint field trial of 100Gbps optical fibre technology. The telco said that the trials, delivered across parts of the company¡¯s European network and over a 1,520km optically amplified network in the north Dallas area, validates the maturity of the 100G standard, which is scheduled to be approved by the IEEE and ITU-T in June.