Verizon Wireless Continued Significant Network Investments Across Alabama In 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alabamians in 2015 will experience faster, more reliable wireless calling, data streaming and Web surfing on the Verizon Wireless network thanks to heavy investments the company made in 2014. Over the course of the past year, the company invested more than $129 million in network enhancements across Alabama. Its total network investment in the state now totals more than $1.1 billion since the company was formed in 2000.

2014 Enhancements Reached Multiple Alabama Markets

2014 upgrades to the company's network included 57 new cell sites and the rollout of the company's XLTE technology into multiple Alabama markets, including Anniston, Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Enterprise, Florence, Huntsville, Gadsden, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Today, more than 400 of Verizon's 4G LTE 500-plus nationwide markets have been enhanced with XLTE. This means more customers in high-traffic locations can access the company's most advanced technology at the same time to send photos, download videos, surf the Internet and use other popular applications on their smartphones, tablets and other devices during times of peak usage.

"We have a relentless focus on providing our customers with the most reliable network possible. The significant investments we made across Alabama in 2014 are evidence of that unwavering commitment. No matter what is happening, Alabamians expect our network to deliver. These devices have become a part of our lifestyles, and there is no question our network technologies are revolutionizing the way people communicate and execute their daily lives," said Jonathan LeCompte, president – Georgia/Alabama Region, Verizon Wireless.

Alabama Highlights

• Montgomery saw the highest growth in wireless data usage in 2014.
• More Alabamians are going wireless. More than 259 billion voice and data transmissions and more than 24.7 billion minutes of airtime were logged on the Verizon Wireless network in Alabama during 2014. This is an increase of 32 percent from 2013.
• Data is still King. Wireless data traffic increased over 60 percent year-over-year in Alabama.
• Alabamians turn to wireless during major events. As an example, during the 2014 Alabama vs. Auburn football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Verizon Wireless network handled 118,000 minutes of use and processed more than 794 Gigabytes of data.

Network Upgrades Enhanced Coverage at Football Stadiums

In 2014, the company completed a significant DAS upgrade and activated new XLTE technology at Auburn University's Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and also activated XLTE at the University of Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. These investments support large crowds and ensure that football fans get the best experiences from their wireless devices on Verizon's network.

Verizon Wireless consistently earns top rankings from independent consumer reporting and testing institutions for network quality and performance. The company's capital investment in Alabama also fuels year-round preparations for severe weather like such as tornadoes, floods and wildfires, when network reliability is crucial. The company maintains a fleet of cells on wheels (COWS), cells on light trucks (COLTS) and generators on trailers (GOATS) for immediate deployment to provide extra network capacity when disasters strike.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 106.2 million retail customers, including 100.1 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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