Confused about the 2 Different Verizon 4G, 3G Maps and if I have 4G in Salt Lake City, Utah

Question

Hello-
I am really wanting either the Samsung MIFI type 4G device or the Thunderbolt HTC phone but I can't get a straight answer on if I am in a 4G area.  I called and one Verizon agent sent me to a URL that had various shades of red, supposedly showing the various levels of 4G, and 3G in the Salt Lake Area.  it made no sense to me because the various shades of red changed depending on whose computer I was checking and the display settings.  it looked like there was 4G, not extended but the full on 4G in a large part of Salt Lake City.  I called back and this person took me to the map that is just red and white.  I think the red was either 3G and the white is not 3G or the red is 4G and the white areas are not 4G
Why would they not have one map that is clear about if  areas have 4G, have a mix of 4G & 3G and whatever else is available?  what is up with 2 maps, one being very subjective because the various shades of red can be different depending on the display settings.
I did get a reply from an earlier post that was an article someone sent me to saying Salt Lake City has no 4G but should by the end of 2011.  what is up with leaving Salt Lake city behind?   This is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.  If I get a 4G device like the Samsung MIFI device or a smartphone that is 4G like the thunderbolt HTC does that mean that these will not work in a 3G area?
Just when I am brave enough to get my first smartphone, it seem silk I get so many various answers from Verizon employees, that they do not really even know.
any advice.  I learn from other's suggests, examples, but I do not run out and follow them just because somebody tells me to do it.  it is part of how I gather information, learn from other's experiences, and hopefully can make a decision as to what I should do.  the 3G MIFI I have had for years does not stay connected past 5 minutes and starting the device and restarting the device is getting to be a bit too much/
thanks in advance for any help.  ,Feel free to send me a PM if my post ad your reply seems too novice.  I do not care as long as I can learn from what others have to say.  :-)

Answer 1

Yes that is the map but the area that is 4G is North-West Salt Lake.  Some of downtown is 4G (I guess 4G and extended 4G is that extended is or can be sometimes 4G and sometimes 3G.)  I never doubted that Salt Lake had some 4G.  I was trying to tell you that the Verizon agent told me that Salt Lake city will not have 4G until the end of 2011.  she gave me the URL to an article that validates that.  the other map which another agent used is just red and white.  She said go by this map since it is more accurate as of now and the one with the various reds is toward the end of 2011.  whatever the story is, I have no idea but if you look at the map that you are questioning if I refreshed the map aft checking 4G you will see that most of downtown Salt Lake is not the burgundy red and south of downtown has no 4G at al, just 4G extended and 3G.  If you want to check the area where I live it is near 3900 South or on the section of the map you are showing in your post, it is South of 215 and 80 frwys.  this area on the map I used this morning is all 4G extended and 3G.  I have no idea why the only pure 4G is near the Great Salt Lake, but that area is out where the airport is (west of downtown Salt Lake).  Have you looked at the other map that is just red and white? I am not sure of the difference but the agent told me that map is the most current map if you want something that is current.
I am confused.  But I am still confused as to why you were wondering if I was refreshing the map?  I was telling or describing in my post what the agents at Verizon had told me, not what I had seen on the multi colored map.
thanks,