Verizon Restores 4G Network, Delays Release of 4G Samsung Droid Charge

Written by Channel
April 28, 2011

The mobile operator has yet to announce a new date for the release of the smartphone.

Verizon Wireless announced this morning that it has restored its 4G service after customers had problems connecting to its high-speed network, but the company has delayed the release of the Droid Charge, its second 4G smartphone.

The Droid Charge was scheduled to be introduced today, but Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Debra Lewis confirmed the delay after subscribers encountered problems connecting to the mobile operators 4G LTE network.

Customers have the option of providing store representatives with their contact information and they will be notified when the device is available for purchase,” Lewis said.

Lewis did not immediately respond to a follow-up question as to whether Verizon Wireless was selling and activating other smartphones today. Apple announced Wednesday that a white version of its popular iPhone 4 would be available beginning today through AT&T and Verizon Wireless stores, among other places. Verizon prominently displays on its website that the white version of the iPhone 4 is now available.

Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon Wireless confirmed Wednesday on its Twitter page that it was investigating an issue with its 4G network. The company later announced determining what had caused its subscribers problems connecting to the network, although Verizon Wireless did not specify the source of the problems.

In a Twitter update this morning, the mobile giant announced that its network was up and running. Thank you for your patience.”

The widely reported network issue comes in the wake of recent comments by a Verizon Wireless executive that the company a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group PLC has faced few problems rolling out its 4G network.

At the end of last year, the high-speed network reached 38 major metropolitan areas and about 60 commercial airports in the United States.

Verizon Wireless, which serves 88.4 million retail customers and 15.6 million wholesale and other connections, plans to bring 4G LTE to an additional 140 markets by the end of 2011.