Brazil’s mobile operator TIM Participacoes (TIM Brasil) announced Monday that it is expanding its 4G network to 21 more cities across the country, Telegeography.com reports and quoting the operator as saying that it is looking to encourage existing 3G users to migrate to the more advanced platform for a ‘much faster, stable’ technology standard.

The new cities are: Guarulhos, Osasco, Santo Andre, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sorocaba and Ribeirao Preto (SP), Sao Goncalo, Duque de Caxias and Nova Iguacu (RJ), Count (MG), Jaboatao Guararapes (PE), Feira de Santana (BA), Joao Pessoa (PB), Aracaju (SE), Sao Luis (MA), Teresina (PI), Campo Grande (MS), Palmas (TO) and Rio Branco (AC).

To gain access to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, users need a compatible device and a TIM 4G chip, which costs BRL10 ($4.5). TIM Brasil hopes the expansion will add more to its current 772,000 people using 4G – or 30 percent of the 4G segment.

The news comes as both TIM Brasil and its rival Claro Brasil (of America Movil) claim to have reached the 4G coverage goals laid down by the regulator Anatel on its website.