Alabama's Largest and Most Reliable 3G Network Now Even Stronger

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the only wireless service provider with a statewide 3G network in Alabama, announced today that it invested more than $30 million in the second quarter of 2010 to enhance its network across the state. The majority of the investment focused on expanding the capacity of Verizon Wireless's 3G data network as demand for wireless data transmission continues to grow.

"Our focus has been and always will be on network quality. The network is what enables our customers to truly enjoy the features of their devices," said Jeff Mango, president, Georgia/Alabama Region for Verizon Wireless. "It's not just about making calls and sending and receiving email anymore. People are using their mobile devices to search the web, navigate using GPS applications, connect to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and much more.  At Verizon Wireless we strongly believe in empowering our customers to do all of these things no matter where they are in the state. "

Verizon Wireless has invested $5.7 billion on average each year to increase the coverage capacity of its network and add new services. Verizon Wireless' 3G high-speed data network covers more people than any other wireless service provider. As a result, customers can use their smartphones, laptops and other devices in more places than with any other high-speed 3G network.

Expanded Data Coverage

Verizon Wireless expanded its 3G data capacity during the second quarter of 2010 across the state. Cities and towns benefiting from expanded data capacity included:

North Alabama: Albertville, Anderson, Arab, Ardmore, Athens, Blanche, Blountsville, Bremen, Brooksville, Center Hill, Collinsville, Courtland, Crane Hill, Cullman, Decatur, Elkmont, Eva, Falkville, FyffeGrant, Greenhill, Hartselle, Hanceville, Hazel Green, Hampton Cove, Hokes Bluff, Horton, Huntsville including the area around Redstone Arsenal, Killen, Lacey Springs, Leighton, Lexington, Littleville, Meridianville, Morgan City, Moulton, Muscle Shoals, Newburg, Owens Crossroads, Painter, Persimmon Grove, Rainsville, Rogersville, Smith Lake, Springfield, Stevenson, Sylvania, Town Creek, Tuscumbia, Vinemont, West Point, Woodville

Birmingham area: Alabaster, Blount Springs, Birmingham Airport, Centerpoint, Centerville, Chelsea, Clanton, Cleveland, Colony, Columbiana, Cropwell, Empire, Fultondale, Jasper, Hoover including the Riverchase Galleria, Gurley, Martin Lake, McCalla, Midfield, Montevallo, Oakman, Oak Mountain, Odenville, Oneonta, Pell City, Pinson, Powellville, Quinton, Red Rock, Rock Mountain, Sayre, Trafford, Vestavia, Vincent, along First Avenue North in Birmingham, along I-20 in St. Clair County, along I-59 between Trussville and Clay, highway 231 in Shelby County, along I-65 in Shelby County, along highway 69 in Walker County

West Alabama: Buhl, Butler, Holt, Northport, Tuscaloosa, Vance

East Alabama: Anniston, Attalla, Forney, Fullerton, Gadsden, Gaylesville, Guntersville, Jacksonville, Neely Henry Lake area, Oak Grove, Ohatchee, Piedmont, Rockledge, along I-59 north of Gadsden, along Alabama Highway 9 and Alabama Highway 68 on the Alabama/Georgia line

Montgomery area: Autaugaville, Cecil, Eclectic, Evergreen, Fort Deposit, Greenville, Hope Hull, Lowndesboro, Luverne, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Mount Meigs, Pike Road, Prattville, Rutledge, Tuskegee, Union Springs, Verbena, Wetumpka

Dothan area: Andalusia, Chancellor, Coffee Springs, Daleville, Dothan, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula including Walter George Lake, Fort Rucker, Geneva, Hartford, Headland, Kinsey, Newville, Opp, Slocomb, Taylor, Victoria

U.S. 280 Corridor: Bleeker, Cusetta, Salem

Continued Network Expansion

In addition to massive investment in 3G data coverage, Verizon Wireless continued to expand its overall network in select Alabama cities including Benton, Fayette, Lineville, Roanoke and Shorter.

Trusted Wireless Connectivity

Verizon Wireless invests more in its network than any other wireless service provider in the United States and tests its network and those of its competitors to ensure the Verizon Wireless network remains the nation's most reliable. Using sophisticated testing equipment in specially equipped company vehicles, Verizon Wireless network systems performance engineers drove 497,700 miles to conduct 1.69 million voice call attempts and 9.7 million data tests on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of major competitors across the United States during the first six months of 2010.

Currently, 95 percent of the state's population is covered by Verizon Wireless' 3G network. With continued network investment, Verizon Wireless is consistently increasing coverage and capacity so the network can carry more calls, e-mails, text and picture messages in more places and offer greater wireless access to the Web and other data services.

"Our focus is on providing the best customer experience, which we know is largely driven by our network," says Mango. "Our test men and women in Alabama enable us to not only understand our customers' experiences today, they also allow us to make decisions on network investments that will provide the best service in the future. A superior and reliable wireless network is no longer measured by 'bars' or new cell towers. Our investment is largely focused on adding power and capacity to our existing statewide 3G network."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with  79,000 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- Georgia & Alabama