Verizon Network Earns Top Honors In Florida Markets In Newest RootMetrics Wireless Reports

TAMPA, Fla., June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As it rolls out its new XLTE wireless technology across Florida, Verizon Wireless again has earned top honors in the most recent studies of wireless service and speed in the state by independent testing firm RootMetrics.

The new studies were conducted in major markets such as Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and more.

Verizon won the Overall Performance award in these markets, as well as consistently earning the high scores in Reliability Index, Speed Index, Data Performance and Call Performance sub-categories.

The studies covered the first half of 2014, a time period in which Verizon has accelerated the roll out of its newest XLTE network technology across Florida. XLTE utilizes Verizon's AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum, which at least doubles the capacity of its high-speed 4G LTE network. 

Greater capacity means more customers at once, even in high-traffic locations, can send photos, download videos, surf the Internet and use other popular applications at peak speeds on their smartphones, tablets and other devices.

Verizon has activated hundreds of new XLTE sites and systems across the state in recent months, with dozens located in downtown centers, tourist attractions, sports venues and other destinations. 

"Dominating the RootMetrics rankings again, distancing ourselves from the competition, and delivering top performance to Floridians is a gratifying result of our network efforts," said Mariano Legaz, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless.  "It's clear the ongoing rollout of XLTE is making a real difference for our customers."

Verizon previously was rated by RootMetrics as Florida's top overall wireless network for the second half of 2013.  The new 2014 results are even stronger, with more commanding wins in more categories and in more cities now served by XLTE.

In the current studies, RootMetrics teams drove more than 8,000 miles throughout the state, as well as testing inside about 300 buildings.  Technicians and equipment made approximately 225,000 wireless calls and data tests.

For more details on the studies, visit www.rootmetrics.com.

Launched in 2010, the Verizon 4G LTE network now covers 99 percent of Floridians.  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE and 3G networks.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 102.8 million retail customers, including 96.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless