Verizon Wireless Further Boosts Its 4G LTE Network In The New York Metro Region With 38 Additional Cell Site Activations

WARREN, N.J., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, owner of America's largest 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, today announced that its customers will have access to its 4G LTE network in more places after expanding network coverage on Aug. 16 in 38 existing markets, and launching 4G LTE coverage in 34 new markets. To expand its 4G LTE network coverage in the New York Metro Region, Verizon Wireless has activated an additional 38 fill-in cell sites in all 5 boroughs of Manhattan, as well as Nassau, Westchester, Suffolk and Rockland Counties.  Verizon Wireless first launched its 4G LTE network in New York in December 2010. Currently, over 90 percent of the New York Metro Region has access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.  

"The expansion of our 4G LTE network will enable customers to use their 4G LTE devices in more parts of New York to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues, all with speeds up to 10 times faster than before," said Pat Devlin, President New York Metro Region for Verizon Wireless.  "We will continue expanding and enhancing our 4G LTE network in New York and across the country to provide our customers with the best wireless experience possible."

National research company RootMetrics^® recently recognized the overall quality of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network in New York in its annual RootMetrics' RootScore^™ Reports.  The reports highlight data, call, text and overall performances of the major wireless carriers' networks in a specific geographical area. To evaluate the networks in each specific market, a team of RootMetrics employees conducts tests over a period of several days, covering all hours of the day and night.  Using current off-the-shelf smartphones available to the public at the time of testing, the evaluation focuses on popular consumer activities, including making phone calls, uploading and downloading files from the Internet, and sending and receiving texts in an effort to reflect the consumer experience in a specific geographical area.  In New York, RootMetrics found that the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network delivered top performances in the area for data, call text, and combined service—sweeping each category.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is America's largest 4G network with coverage available to nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population.  With the new and expanded markets, the company's 4G LTE network will be available to 371 markets across the United States. By year's end, the company plans for its 4G LTE network to cover more than 400 U.S. markets.

Verizon Wireless customers can choose from the largest selection of 4G LTE devices to experience America's fastest 4G network.  Devices include a variety of tablets, mobile hotspots, smartphones and more, including the Samsung Galaxy S^® III, DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC and Pantech Marauder^™.  Details on available devices can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE and information on plans and pricing is available at www.verizonwireless.com/plans.

Verizon Wireless also offers a variety of smart accessories that customers can use with their 4G LTE devices.  These accessories include the MotoACTV Bluetooth Smart Health Tracker & Music Player, the FitBit Ultra Wireless Activity Trackerand the Helo TC Touch Controlled Helicopter, among others.  A full list of smart accessories can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/smartaccessories.

4G LTE Coverage and Speed

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE customers should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. 

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, 4G LTE devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.  Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area, or when they travel to areas already covered by 4G LTE. 

For more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 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.

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Esmeralda Diaz Cameron
Verizon Wireless
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Chris Harihar
Crenshaw Communications
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SOURCE Verizon Wireless