Verizon Wireless Icon Comes to Life, Drives Highways in South Central U.S.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless has not only brought the nation's largest wireless 3G broadband network to new markets in Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma, the company has also brought its long-running network testing and enhancement program.  

Over the past year, Verizon Wireless has added new vehicles to its network testing fleet, enabling the company to enhance call quality and coverage capabilities throughout the region and bringing its total national fleet to 100.  The test vehicles – late-model, four-wheel drive utility vehicles each costing approximately $240,000 fully outfitted with network testing gear – are driven by real-life test men and women who inspired Verizon Wireless' long-running, iconic advertising campaign featuring the guy who says: "Can you hear me now®?".

Verizon Wireless test men and women help ensure the Verizon Wireless network remains the nation's most reliable. Nationally, these test men and test women travel more than 1 million miles annually and use specially-equipped computers to conduct more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of major competitors across the U.S.  Results of these tests are the basis for Verizon Wireless' most reliable wireless network claim. Learn more at http://aboutus.vzw.com/bestnetwork/overview.html.

In Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee, Verizon Wireless' network is tested and monitored by a team of test men and women (their official job title is "systems performance engineer"), including Lance Anderson, Rick Cossey and Sam Ault, all of whom started with Alltel and are now test men at Verizon Wireless.

"I was responsible for planning and purchasing the equipment used to build cell sites," said Lance Anderson. "When we transitioned to Verizon Wireless, I thought being a test man would allow me to see how plans take shape within the communities we serve.  Now, what I do has a direct impact on what our company stands for."

Added Rick Cossey, "My job as a test man gives me a first hand perspective on the quality of our network.  Recently we had some severe weather in Arkansas.  Our group performed drive tests on 'special routes' to see how our network performed and found out that it performed like it was a sunny day. So, when severe weather happens, customers should know that the Verizon Wireless network and our team never stop working to make sure they have coverage."

Sam Ault agreed, "The Verizon Wireless network is the foundation for all we do. I am really proud to be on a team that helps provide America's largest and most reliable wireless network."

Learn more about Lance Anderson, Rick Cossey and Sam Ault and their roles in testing and monitoring the Verizon Wireless network by viewing their online profiles:

• Lance Anderson – http://news.vzw.com/testdriver/south/testdriver18.html
• Rick Cossey – http://news.vzw.com/testdriver/south/testdriver20.html
• Sam Ault – http://news.vzw.com/testdriver/south/testdriver19.html

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 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