Verizon Wireless to Spend $7.8 Million in Kentucky Repainting 3G Network Map Red

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless will spend $7.8 million in 2010 repainting its Kentucky map red, adding more capacity to its advanced high-speed 3G network.  The enhancements will ensure that Verizon Wireless customers across the state can continue using their wireless devices to access the Internet, view high-quality videos, download music, games and ringtones, and send and receive email.

The project entails installing equipment on hundreds of cell sites across Kentucky, thereby increasing data capacity of the network by as much as 26 percent.  This $7.8 million investment is part of the company's overall $29 million being spent on its Kentucky network this year, which will also include building several new cell sites, among other initiatives.

"We stay well ahead of our customers' growing needs by studying their data usage habits and test driving our network to experience firsthand the speeds and quality of our 3G network," said Greg Haller, president–Kentucky/Indiana/Michigan Region, Verizon Wireless.  "Network reliability is not just a catch phrase for us.  It defines who we are."

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $55 billion since it was formed – $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.  Since 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $307 million on improvements to its wireless network in Kentucky.

About Verizon Wireless in Kentucky

In Kentucky, Verizon Wireless has more than 150 employees and 120-plus locations including company-owned retail stores, indirect agents and national retailers.

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, 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