A Boast of the Biggest 4G Network for the iPad Is a Stretch

About an hour after Apple said that its third-generation iPad would be available on AT&T and Verizon Wireless’s 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, AT&T’s press relations department e-mailed a statement claiming that it had the largest 4G network in the nation.

The problem is, AT&T is not referring to the same network as the 4G LTE feature that is being highlighted for the iPad.

“We operate the nation’s largest 4G network, which today covers nearly 250 million people. That means more AT&T customers can access 4G speeds on the latest tablets and smartphones than customers on any other network,” said Alexa Kaufman, an AT&T spokeswoman, in a statement regarding Apple’s unveiling of the new iPad.

Verizon Wireless actually has the largest 4G LTE network in the country, available in 196 markets across the United States, compared to AT&T’s 4G LTE availability in 28 markets. The “4G” that AT&T is referring to as the largest in the United States is known as HSPA+, which stands for high speed packet access. HSPA+ is actually an upgraded version of the third-generation network and most people in the wireless industry would not classify it as a true fourth-generation network. Some call it a “3.5G” network.

Verizon did not send out a similar statement after the new iPad announcement.

AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment.