Verizon Wireless Increases Call-Handling and 3G Data Capacity in Gloucester County, Virginia

LAUREL, Md., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Gloucester County, Verizon Wireless has completed work that improves the capacity of both its wireless voice and data network.  

The increased coverage is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services.  Last year alone, the company spent $274 million on regional network improvements, bringing total network investment in the region since 2000 to more than $2.3 billion.

"Even the most sophisticated wireless device is only as good as the network it runs on," said Mike Maiorana.  "Verizon Wireless continues to invest in our network and add capacity to stay ahead of growing demand and ensure our customers have an even better wireless experience tomorrow than they had today."

Verizon Wireless has the nation's largest and most reliable 3G broadband network with five times the coverage of other networks which makes advanced services like turn-by-turn navigation, over-the-air downloads of the latest applications, text/picture messaging, video and music downloads, web browsing and 3D gaming possible.  Customer demand for these advanced services continues to grow.  

The company's "nation's most reliable wireless network" reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.*

Results from this internal network quality assurance test program confirm that Verizon Wireless is the 3G network quality leader in the Virginia, Maryland and DC region, and correlate with other third-party network quality findings, including J.D. Power and Associates. Verizon Wireless ranked "Highest for Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Mid-Atlantic" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study(SM)  Volume 1. The J.D. Power and Associates study measures call quality among the major U.S. wireless service providers based on factors that impact overall carrier performance*.

In addition to enhancing its 3G network, Verizon Wireless has also begun testing its 4G network which it plans to deploy in 2010 in 25 to 30 U.S. markets, covering 100 million people.  Verizon Wireless' 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network will offer dramatically higher wireless speeds and reliability than even today's most advanced 3G network.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with  83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (Nasdaq and LSE: 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.

* Verizon Wireless received the highest numerical score among wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study(SM)—Vol. 1 Study based on 23,373 total responses measuring 4 providers in the Mid-Atlantic Region (DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV) and measures opinions of wireless users about the call quality of their service.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in July-December 2009.  Your experience may vary.  Visit jdpower.com

SOURCE Verizon Wireless