NEW YORK (

TheStreet

) -- Without any equipped phones or entry-level prices,

Verizon

(VZ) - Get Report

is set to launch its long-anticipated 4G wireless network Sunday.

Billing it as "the world's largest" LTE network (that's short for long term evolution, not "lite" mobile technology), Verizon said it will start offering the

faster service in 38 U.S. cities.

Subscribers will be sold $99 wireless modems to connect to a data-only network at what Verizon claims is up to 10 times the speed of its 3G service.

Verizon will be the first U.S. carrier with an LTE network.

Sprint

(S) - Get Report

has been selling a different 4G service on phones over its WiMax network since May. And

AT&T

(T) - Get Report

is expected to start work on its own LTE network in the coming years.

Verizon's monthly charge starts at $50 for 5 gigabites of use and $80 for 10 gigabites. Any data use beyond that is $10 per gigabite.

Verizon is expected to unveil at least one 4G phone at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month. Verizon 4G phones are expected to start selling around mid-year, which will likely set up heavy speculation about the possibilities of a 4G Verizon iPhone from

Apple

(AAPL) - Get Report

come late June, when Apple typically introduces its newest iPhones.

--Written by Scott Moritz in New York.>To contact this writer, click here: Scott Moritz, or email: scott.moritz@thestreet.com.To follow Scott on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/MoritzDispatch.>To send a tip, email: tips@thestreet.com.