With the holiday season just around the corner and the iPhone 5 already rolled out, Sprint will aim to compete with both AT&T and Verizon by launching LTE at a rapid speed. 

The carrier stated that it will be offering its high-speed 4G network to 11 more cities and countries in upcoming weeks. 

Although Sprint is considered a late entry into the LTE market and faces stiff competition in terms of the coverage they're providing, the company is planning to make up for lost times by aggressively penetrating the data market. To date, Sprint's Network Vision strategy has provided LTE to 43 markets in the United States. To top it off, the carrier is also said to be adding another 115 cities to the LTE expansion project in the near future.

The fast-paced LTE growth along with 3G upgrades is allowing the carrier to spend their capital more aggressively in order to maintain the future data increases that they will inevitably incur. 

Sprint recently closed a deal with Softbank to sell a majority stake in exchange for cash, which will give it the momentum it needs to continue their rise to the top of the LTE market.  It will also give the company the opportunity to increase its presence through acquisitions, which includes a recent deal with US Cellular.

Sprint's deal with Softbank will more than likely aid the company's campaign to be known as a legitimate third national carrier. However, Sprint has still not received the regulatory go ahead. 

The following cities below will be gaining access to the LTE network by Sprint:

Anderson, Indiana

Clarke County, Virginia

Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Harrisburg / Carlisle / Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hagerstown, Maryland

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Muncie, Indiana

Peabody, Massachusetts

Salina, Kansas

Shenandoah County, Virginia

South Bend / Mishawaka, Indiana

Winchester, Virginia

Tags: sprint 4g lte