Verizon Wireless Annual Network Investments Ensure Georgians Are More Connected Than Ever Before

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Web on the Verizon Wireless network is now easier and faster for residents and travelers in Georgia, thanks to heavy investments Verizon Wireless made in 2010. The company installed 23 new cell sites and additional network capacity in over 279 cities across the Peach State in 2010. Today, 96 percent of the state's population is covered by Verizon Wireless' 3G network and over 4.2 million Georgians are covered by its 4G LTE network, ensuring customers have the coverage needed for their growing data needs and the capacity to stay connected wherever they go statewide.  

The company's ongoing network investment in Georgia now totals more than $1.8 billion since the company was formed in 2000. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $60 billion nationally – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.

"We've always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on.  Verizon Wireless is well prepared for network capacity growth needs in 2011 and beyond, ensuring that our customers in Georgia will continue to be able to rely on the nation's largest and most reliable network," said Jeff Mango, president – Georgia/Alabama Region, Verizon Wireless.  "Verizon Wireless' laser focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year. We commit to maintaining our network leadership for Georgians so that they can connect wherever and whenever they need."  

Verizon Wireless recently launched its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless services in 38 markets and 60 commercial airports across the U.S., including Atlanta, Athens and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Augusta, GA will be getting the 4G LTE network later this year. 4G LTE offers customers who live, work or travel in these markets significantly greater speed and capabilities than even today's most advanced 3G coverage.

New Cell Sites and Other Network Enhancements

Over the course of 2010, new cell towers and/or other network enhancements worth more than $190 million were activated in 279 cities including Albany, Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Macon, Rome, Savannah, Tifton, and Valdosta.  (See full list of cities below)

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Other 2010 Verizon Wireless Network Highlights

• Nearly 8.5 billion voice and data transmissions and more than 19 billion minutes of airtime were logged on the Verizon Wireless network in Georgia during last six months of 2010. Wireless data traffic increased over 65% and Text Messaging Service increased nearly 110% from the same time period in 2009.
• Verizon Wireless' network technicians (who serve as the inspiration for the famous TV Test Man ad campaign) traveled more than 14,000 miles across the state in 2010 in special test vehicles equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers to measure the quality of voice and data calls on the Verizon Wireless network, as well as other carriers' wireless networks.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 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