Somers Point Residents Benefit From Verizon Wireless' 3G Network Expansion

SOMERS POINT, N.J., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Mobile Web on the Verizon Wireless high-speed 3G network will be easier and faster for residents and visitors in Atlantic County, thanks to the activation of a new cell site in Somers Point. The new site increases coverage and capacity along Route 9 and Route 152.

With the improved network coverage, customers can use their wireless devices to send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; view high-quality videos; and access VZ Navigator's turn-by-turn directions, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls. The Verizon Wireless network also is built for reliability during emergencies, such as power outages and extreme weather conditions, with redundancy capabilities in place to maintain service for customers when they need it the most.

These network enhancements are part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company's voice and data services. Verizon Wireless invested more than $163 million to enhance services and coverage across central, northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware during 2009. The network investment is part of more than $1.3 billion invested in the region and more than $59 billion invested across the nation since the company was formed in 2000.

Verizon Wireless has the largest and most reliable 3G network coverage area in the United States. Its 3G data network provides its customers in more locations than any other wireless carrier the ability to browse the web faster with quicker page loading times, quickly download and play music, watch streaming video, send e-mails with attachments, download and play 3D games, video conference with contacts and rapidly share files. View a map of Verizon Wireless' 3G coverage, compared with competitors' 3G coverage at http://vzwmap.verizonwireless.com/dotcom/coveragelocator/images/maps/3Gcomparison.pdf.

"We've always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on," said Mario Turco, president of Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State Region. "Our 3G high-speed Mobile Broadband network is the largest and most reliable in the United States, and field tests are underway that will enable us to become the first wireless company to offer commercial LTE (Long Term Evolution)-based 4G service in the U.S., starting in 2010."

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the first quarter of 2010 when the company reported a total of 93 million customers. The company also recently earned recognition from J.D. Power and Associates for "Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Mid-Atlantic."*

Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and test women drive more than 100 specially-equipped vehicles nearly one million miles each year on the country's most frequently traveled roadways to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

*Verizon Wireless received the highest numerical score among wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study(SM) - Vol. 1 Study based on 23,373 total responses measuring 4 providers in the Mid-Atlantic Region (DE, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia) and measures opinions of wireless users about the call quality of their service.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in July-December 2009.  Your experience may vary.  Visit jdpower.com

SOURCE Verizon Wireless