With Verizon Wireless announcing today that it's revving up its high-speed Internet network for Pittsburgh customers, it looks as if the competition among cell phone companies is showing no signs of slowing down.

Verizon has joined rival Sprint Nextel in adding extra zip to its wireless broadband Internet services -- slashing the time needed to download e-mail or access the Internet. The speeds still are a bit slower than home high-speed Internet connections, but faster than dial-up. There's no additional charge for the upgraded mobile Web service that typically adds an additional $15 to $60 to the monthly cell phone bill.

Cingular, which is being renamed AT&T, is the last member of the wireless world's top troika to roll out broadband Web for its Pittsburgh customers. Cingular spokeswoman Tara Traycoff said the company plans to roll out wireless broadband locally by the end of the year.

Cell phone companies are racing to upgrade speed and add features, spending billions in an attempt to grab a greater portion of the nearly topped-out 220 million U.S. cell phone market.

Beefed-up broadband, industry watchers say, is a precursor to the next-big-thing.

For Verizon, that is broadcasting Katie Couric on "CBS Evening News" live on cell phones, while at Sprint, it's WiMax -- wireless Internet broadcast that's accessible over greater distances than WiFi.

But it will be awhile before Pittsburghers have access to either.

Verizon Wireless has to work out some behind-the-scenes technical issues, according to regional chief Dan Caretta, before it can offer the live TV service to local customers. "I can't speak to when that will happen," he said. Sprint isn't offering specifics about where WiMax will be available when it's launched later this year.

Fourth-place carrier T-Mobile hasn't announced plans to bring wireless broadband services to its customers.