Verizon Wireless Invests $49 Million In Alabama Network In First Half Of 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Web on the Verizon Wireless network is now easier and faster for residents and travelers in Alabama, thanks to heavy investments Verizon Wireless made during the first half of 2013. From January through June, the company invested more than $49 million to expand its wireless broadband and voice networks across the state. Verizon's 4G LTE network is now substantially complete in Alabama, representing the vast majority of the company's 3G footprint that provides coverage across tens of thousands of square miles in the state, from Muscle Shoals to Mobile.

Since 2010, the company has invested more than $361 million on its network in Alabama, with a significant portion of that supporting its 4G LTE rollout; Verizon's ongoing network investment in the peach state now totals more than $949 million since the company was formed in 2000. 

Over the first six months of 2013, the company expanded availability of its 4G LTE network in cities such as Alexander City, Clanton, Cullman, Demopolis, Hamilton, Russellville, Talladega and more. As a result, Verizon Wireless users all over Alabama can stream video, share music and photos, download files and surf the Web with speeds up to 10 times faster than before. As of June 27, 2013, Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network is available in 500 markets covering nearly 301 million people nationwide, more than 95 percent of the U.S. population.

Other 2013 Verizon Wireless Alabama Highlights

• More than 89 billion voice and data transmissions and more than 105 billion minutes of airtime were logged on the Verizon Wireless network in Alabama during the first six months of 2013.
• Wireless data traffic increased over 99.9% from the same time period in 2012.

"Alabamians need to communicate at today's speed of business and Verizon Wireless's 4G network has you covered. Our 4G LTE network is revolutionizing what businesses and consumers can do with the devices in their hands, and we know this connectivity will be a key communications and technology enabler for many years to come," said Jonathan LeCompte, president – Georgia/Alabama Region, Verizon Wireless. 

The numbers show that Alabama consumers and businesses are taking advantage of Verizon's 4G LTE network: data traffic on the network increased nearly 325 percent from 2012 to 2013 in the state. Nationally, 57 percent of Verizon Wireless' data traffic is now carried over the 4G LTE network, demonstrating dramatic adoption of the new technology.

Verizon's capital investment in Alabama also fuels year-round preparations for severe weather such as tornadoes, floods and wildfires, when network reliability is crucial. The company maintains a fleet of cells on wheels (COWS), cells on light trucks (COLTS) and generators on trailers (GOaTS) for immediate deployment to provide extra network capacity when disasters strike.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 100.1 million retail customers, including 94.3 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 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.  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