This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Owners with AT&T smartphones compatible with the speedy 4G LTE data network can finally start using that feature in Utah.
The cell phone carrier finally turned on its 4G LTE network Wednesday in Provo and Orem only. The network is still expected to launch in Salt Lake City by "the end of the year," according to a company spokeswoman. It is unknown when the service will be available in Ogden.
4G LTE is the latest and fastest data network available for cell phones and other mobile devices such as computer tablets and is capable of speeds up to 10 times faster than the older 3G networks. AT&T is the second carrier to turn on 4G service in Utah. Verizon's LTE network has been on for more than a year and covers much of northern Utah down to Utah County.
Phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and the new iPhone 5 are compatible with the 4G LTE network but have not been able to use it under AT&T in Utah. Instead, they revert back to the carrier's 3G network.
The network is used to access the Internet from a mobile device as well as stream digital music and video from services such as Netflix.