Verizon Wireless Continues to Aggressively Expand 4G LTE Network In Philadelphia Region

PHILADELPHIA, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless customers in more areas across the company's Philadelphia Tri-State Region, which includes central and eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, can now take advantage of Verizon Wireless' 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, the nation's largest 4G LTE network.  The company has expanded 4G LTE coverage in the Philadelphia area, Central Pennsylvania and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

More 4G LTE in Philadelphia Area

In the Philadelphia area, the expanded coverage now includes communities such as Woodbury, Woodstown, Mantua, Clarksboro and Swedesboro in southern New Jersey, and Doylestown and Warminster in Pennsylvania.  Coverage has also been expanded along the New Jersey Turnpike from Rancocas to Windsor.

More 4G LTE in Central Pennsylvania

In Central Pennsylvania, coverage now reaches areas of Lebanon County including the city of Lebanon, Annville, Palmyra and Myerstown. Coverage was also expanded in the area around Mount Holly Springs near Harrisburg, Pa.

More 4G LTE in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Expanded 4G LTE coverage in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre now reaches the Clarks Summit and Pittston areas to the north and south of Scranton, and is available in Dallas and Shavertown to the west. Coverage has also been expanded beyond the City of Wilkes-Barre to the south and west including the communities of Mountain Top, Nanticoke, Berwick, Hazleton and Shickshinny.

With Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, customers can enjoy the best experience in wireless data usage when they stream video, share music and photos, download files and surf the Web with speeds up to 10 times faster than before.  Verizon Wireless initially launched its 4G LTE network in the Philadelphia region in December 2010.

"The size of our 4G LTE network here gives us a significant competitive advantage over competitors as it enables more residents, small businesses and local government to take advantage of the speed and connectivity benefits offered by this advanced technology," said Verizon Wireless Regional President Mario Turco.  "We are committed to continuing the aggressive rollout of our 4G LTE network in 2012."     

The company's 4G LTE network is now available to more than 60 percent of the region's population, including Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs; the Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg, Lebanon and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and portions of southern New Jersey and Delaware, including Wilmington and Dover.  Nationally, the company's 4G LTE network is available in 203 markets and covers more than 200 million people.

The continuing rollout of Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE wireless technology across the region highlighted a more than $200 million regional network investment in 2011 – the eighth consecutive year the company has invested more than $100 million in its wireless network locally. The company's regional network investment totals more than $1.8 billion since 2000.

4G LTE Devices and Plans

Verizon Wireless customers can purchase a wide variety of the most popular 4G LTE devices that will connect to the nation's fastest 4G network.  Details on available devices can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE and information on plans and pricing is available at www.verizonwireless.com/plans.

4G LTE Coverage and Speed

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE customers should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. 

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, 4G LTE devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.  Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area, or when they travel to areas already covered by 4G LTE.  For more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless