Verizon says fast 4G service coming to 38 cities

NEW YORK (AP) — Verizon Wireless said Wednesday that its new wireless broadband network, which offers higher data speeds initially for laptop users, will be live before the end of the year in the cities on the Boston-to-Washington stretch as well as in California, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and other areas.

In all, Verizon aims to cover 38 cities and a third of the country's population with its so-called fourth generation, or 4G, network before the end of the year. In addition, it's lighting up more than 60 airports.

Verizon previously had said that it aimed to cover 25 to 30 cities by the end of the year, without identifying them.

The target market for the 4G service is initially business users who need Internet connections on the go. Verizon says phones and tablet computers that can take advantage of the higher speeds will come next year.