BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Verizon Wireless announced it would be using LTE (Long Term Evolution) as its fourth-generation (4G) wireless technology, which could do a lot for competition in the wireless world a few years from now, media reported Monday.

Verizon said that trials are expected to begin next year, and the full LTE rollout may come around 2010.

LTE is a new wireless standard that can fit more information into less bandwidth than the current 3G (third-generation) technology such as CDMA technology Verizon currently uses for voice.

It is seen as an upgrade of GSM, the most widely used mobile technology. It has been endorsed by the GSM Association, which coordinates the wireless standard used in most countries, and by AT&T.

It means that Verizon Wireless next network, Europe's next networks and AT&T's network will all be built on the same technology and in a few years, people will be able to be able to buy phones and switch them between the two largest wireless networks in the United States as well as carriers in most of the world.

(Agencies)