Verizon bringing 4G wireless to Twin Cities

Verizon is joining the competition offering high speed wireless service in the Twin Cities.

The company announced it will offer the next generation of wireless service -- known as 4G -- in dozens of metropolitan areas, including the Twin Cities.

Mike O'Connor, the citizens representative on the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force, said 4G allows customers to watch movies on their personal wireless device or conference with their medical doctor.

"You can see your X-ray and simultaneously have a video conference going with your doctor or nurse practitioner," he said. "This cuts trips to the clinic, makes it much easier for people who are housebound to get medical care easily."

Kirkland, Wash.-based Clearwire Corporation was the first to enter the Twin Cities 4G wireless market with its announcement last week it would offer service here.

O'Connor said wireless companies view the Twin Cities as a lucrative market.

"We're a pretty big market and we have a lot of interest in high speed Internet products like this," he said.

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