Verizon Wireless Launches 4G LTE Service in Cattaraugus-Allegany Counties Area Thursday

OLEAN, N.Y., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting Thursday, April 19, Verizon Wireless customers in the Cattaraugus-Allegany area will be able to surf the Web, download large files, and share music and photos at speeds up to ten times faster than before with the company's 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) high-speed data network. The new network will be available in the Olean, Amity, Angelica, Arcade, Bolivar, Cuba, Ellicottville, Franklinville, Friendship, Hinsdale, Killbuck, Machias, Napoli and Wellsville areas, and along portions of the I-86 and Route 219 corridors. Additional local cell sites will get the technology over the next several months, expanding and filling in coverage further. Full nationwide deployment of the company's 4G LTE network is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013.

In addition, the company has activated 28 new 4G LTE sites in the Buffalo area since January. 4G LTE launched in that market in October.

"Our 4G LTE network will change the way our customers in Western New York think about and use wireless technology," said Russ Preite, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "By bringing true fourth-generation wireless technology to the area, we continue to lead the way with 4G LTE by giving our local consumer and business customers the ability to enjoy a much more powerful and robust wireless data experience. That will translate into greater productivity, expanded business opportunities, and exciting new entertainment options."

Verizon Wireless is introducing its 4G LTE network in a total of 27 new markets and expanding the network in 44 markets across the United States on April 19. With the new and expanded markets, the company's 4G LTE network will be available to two-thirds of the U.S. population in 230 markets. 

In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to use their 4G LTE smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptop modems and mobile hotspots to experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink – perfect for surfing the Web, streaming video, and downloading large files wirelessly.

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, 4G LTE devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, where available, 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. 

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network. 

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 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