Wichita Residents to Benefit From Verizon Wireless, Alltel Network Integration

WICHITA, Kan., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the company serving the most wireless customers, today announced it has completed the integration of its network with Alltel's in the Wichita metropolitan area to provide customers with clearer reception, fewer dropped calls and more capacity and coverage, including stronger in-building coverage.

The massive $15 million effort took place over the past 17 months and included upgrading the technology at dozens of cell sites to increase capacity, add 3G wireless data service and expand overall coverage. A total of 85 Verizon Wireless cell sites now serve the Wichita metropolitan area.

Verizon Wireless' voice and high-speed 3G data network combined with Alltel's creates the largest wireless network footprint in the United States. The integration in Wichita enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, on the nation's most reliable 3G wireless network.

"The addition of Alltel's network to the Verizon Wireless network provides our customers with unmatched wireless coverage in the Wichita metropolitan area," said Brendan Fallis, president–Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless. "Our high-speed 3G broadband wireless network is the largest in the United States, and network reliability is the No. 1 reason customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless. We are committed to continuing to perfect our network so that our customers in Kansas know they can depend on us every time they use their wireless devices."

Verizon Wireless has been working to integrate Alltel's network since completing its purchase of the company in January 2009. Alltel's data and voice network was upgraded and combined with Verizon Wireless' existing data and voice network in Wichita to run the latest revision of 3G wireless broadband technology.  The combined, upgraded network provides faster delivery of activities that use data, such as sending email and browsing the Internet, along with better in-building coverage.

Verizon Wireless invests more in its network than any other wireless service provider in the United States. The company has spent more than $59 billion since it was formed—$5.7 billion on average every year—to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. In 2009 alone, Verizon Wireless invested $7 billion to expand and advance its network, $44 million of which was spent on its Kansas network.

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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless