18 New Cell Sites Built, 449 Sites Upgraded to Boost Coverage and Capacity of Voice and 3G High-Speed Wireless Network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today it invested more than $44 million in 2009 to enhance its digital network in Kansas. The enhancements included building 18 new cell sites and upgrading equipment on 449 existing cell sites to increase coverage and capacity of the company's voice and 3G high-speed wireless network.

"While other wireless service providers played catch up this past year building out parts of their high-speed wireless network, we already had that 3G foundation in place across the state," said Brendan Fallis, president–Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless.  "Consequently, this year we focused on significantly increasing capacity across our 3G network in Kansas, enabling us to stay ahead of our customers' increasing demands for fast and secure wireless data services."

Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $214 million on improvements to its network in Kansas, including the following upgrades made in 2009:

• Eighteen new cell sites were activated throughout the state to improve network coverage and capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones concurrently to make voice calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
• Performance-based equipment was installed at 449 cell sites across Kansas, increasing capacity of the company's advanced 3G high-speed wireless network as well as improving its speed and performance.
• The Alltel and Verizon Wireless networks were integrated in 90 counties in Kansas and along all of the major highways and interstates as part of the merger completion. This integration provides customers in Kansas with clearer reception, fewer dropped calls and more coverage, including stronger in-building coverage.

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: VZ) and Vodafone (Nasdaq and LSE: 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

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