Verizon Wireless Invests Nearly $485 Million to Boost 3G Coverage and Capacity in California in 2009

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Across California wireless users are making more wireless calls and using more data services thanks to Verizon Wireless' nearly $485 million network investment in 2009.  That's an average of more than $1.3 million per day spent to provide customers with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless.  

The company's ongoing network investment now totals nearly $5.7 billion in California and more than $55 billion nationally since the company was formed in 2000.  

"Our customers are texting, e-mailing, downloading music, visiting Web sites and sharing pictures and videos at a record pace.  Because of this, we continue to aggressively invest in our network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services and maintain our 3G network superiority," said Kevin Zavaglia, region president, Verizon Wireless.  

Verizon Wireless has the largest and most reliable wireless 3G network coverage area in the United States.  A side-by-side comparison of 3G network coverage maps shows that Verizon Wireless has more 3G coverage than the three other major carriers.

New cell sites

Verizon Wireless installed and activated new cell sites in California in 2009 to strengthen coverage and enhance 3G high-speed wireless services.  

The company also updated and added capacity to many other cell sites and further added backup power facilities to improve network reliability in the event of commercial power outages.  Sites were added to serve popular California destinations including:

• 241/261/133 toll roads in Orange County
• California Academy of Science in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park
• Cerritos College
• Dodger Stadium
• Eureka Municipal Golf Course
• Heavenly and Northstar ski resorts near Lake Tahoe
• Lake Arrowhead
• Oakland Hills
• Pomona College
• Sequoia National Park.  
• Silverwood Lake Recreation Area
• Terranea Resort
• Thunder Hill Raceway in Sacramento
• U.C. Berkeley and Stanford University campuses
• Whittier College

4G LTE services

Verizon Wireless prepared to launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network.  The company's aggressive 4G LTE network build includes plans to launch in 25 to 30 markets in 2010 and cover virtually all its current nationwide 3G footprint with the next-generation network by the end of 2013.

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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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