Verizon's 4G LTE spreading to 28 new markets on May 17

Looks like the Big Red is about to get even bigger.

Verizon's 4G LTE network, which already covers the largest amount of markets and people compared to any U.S. carrier, is expanding its reach to 28 new markets starting May 17.

These areas include: Houma/Thibodaux and Lake Charles, La.; Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Mich.; Biloxi/Gulfport/Pascagoula and Oxford, Miss.; Atlantic City/Toms River, N.J.; Dickinson and Williston, N.D.; Ashtabula, Bucyrus, and Defiance, Ohio; Eugene/Springfield, Ore.; Lancaster, New Castle, Northern Cambria County, Oil City/Franklin, Somerset, and York, Pa.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Mitchell, S.D.; Paris, Texas; Burlington/Northern, Vt.; Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Martinsville, and Staunton/Waynesboro, Va.; and finally Sheridan, Wyo.

That brings the carrier's total to 258 markets covered, or roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population by Verizon's calculations.

In addition to that, Verizon reported that by the end of this year, it's looking to increase that number to 400 markets, stretching over 49 states (Alaska's the one that won't get its 4G LTE just yet, in case you're wondering).

Also on May 17, the carrier plans to make its 4G LTE network more robust in 11 already-established markets: Denver, Colo.; Dover, Del.; Fort Myers and Lakeland, Fla.; Hagerstown, Md.; Canton, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo, and Youngstown/Warren, Ohio; and Erie, Pa.