Verizon Wireless is Bringing the Power of Its 4G LTE Network to More Virginia Towns on May 17, 2012

LAUREL, Md., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today that it is bringing the nation's largest 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to several more Virginia communities on May 17, 2012. Customers in and around Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Martinsville will soon be able to use 4G LTE wireless devices to access the Internet faster; listen to music or watch video on their phones; use thousands of apps; and stay in touch with family and friends, all with speeds up to 10 times faster than before. 4G LTE from Verizon Wireless is currently available in many other locations throughout Virginia, including Richmond, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Greater Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia.

This latest expansion of its 4G LTE network is part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive nationwide network investment strategy. Nationally, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $70 billion since it was formed in 2000 to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide networks and to add new services for customers. Last year alone in the Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland region, Verizon Wireless invested $354 million in wireless network enhancements, including 4G LTE expansions and new market launches like these coming online May 17.

"The future is here, and it is Verizon Wireless 4G LTE," said Mike Maiorana, regional president for Verizon Wireless in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. "Our commitment to 4G LTE is bringing customers a new level of wireless data service with upload and download speeds and connectivity that is revolutionizing the way we communicate."

4G LTE Devices and Plans

Verizon Wireless customers can choose from a variety of more than 20, 4G LTE-enabled devices, including notebooks and netbooks; hotspots and modems; and smartphones and tablets, including the new LG Lucid™, an easy-to-use smartphone offering 4G LTE speeds at a low price, and the soon to be launched DROID Incredible 4G LTE by HTC, which will allow users to shoot HD video and capture photos at the same time with its Video Pic feature, all over the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

The company also recently introduced HomeFusion(SM) Broadband, a solution that leverages the power and speed of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network to deliver high-speed, in-home Internet access for residential broadband, particularly in areas where Internet options are limited or are not currently available. HomeFusion Broadband uses a professionally installed, cylinder-shaped antenna attached to a customer's home. The antenna's innovative design includes multiple internal antennae, allowing the device to pick up the best Verizon 4G LTE signal available and transmit it to a broadband router inside the home. The router can connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices inside the home using Wi-Fi. HomeFusion is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Roanoke, Fredericksburg, Martinsville, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Mechanicsville, Richmond, Glenn Allen, Williamsburg, and Massaponax, Virginia.

4G LTE Overview

Verizon Wireless introduced the globe's first large-scale LTE network on December 5, 2010, and currently offers service in 230 markets nationwide, and is on course to deliver 4G LTE to its entire 3G wireless footprint by the end of 2013. The company's 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G, including a contiguous, nationwide network license. In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users 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 a 4G coverage area, their devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network was named "Fastest 4G Network Yet" by Popular Science's 2011 Best of What's New Awards, and was ranked No. 1 on PC World's 100 Best Products of 2011. For more information about Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, please 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 108.7 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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