While the LTE technology is still in its infancy, it is still poised to replace standard 3G with wireless speeds rivaling 100 Mbps. Mobile wireless carriers such as MetroPCS and Verizon will benefit greatly to being the first kids at the finish line on these US projects. It looks like MetroPCS is the stronger runner with plans to turn on LTE networks in Dallas and Las Vegas next month. James Kendrick from GigaOM brings us this scoop,

The Verizon LTE network may go live in November, but the carrier has indicated the first LTE-capable smartphone won’t appear on the network until next year. Samsung has stated that MetroPCS will make the Samsung Craft phone available in September alongside the launch of the LTE network. The Craft is thought to be a smartphone with sliding QWERTY keyboard, and steps down to CDMA when LTE is not available.

LTE 3GPP is a next-generation wireless network that will take advantage of advanced wireless communication technology. While sometimes marketed as really fourth generation (or 4G) is really more like 3.9G because current LTE doesn’t comply with all the 4G standards. It is also important to point out that LTE is not compatible with 3G. Still, even with these standards still shifting, the speeds offered by these services greatly exceed current 3G networks.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility announced plans, beginning in 2009, to convert their networks to LTE. However, it looks like MetroPCS is poised cut the blue ribbon before anyone else in the US, even if they beat Verizon by only a month.