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Verizon Wireless Continues Adirondacks Area Network Expansion Program

Posted on: Monday, 1 June 2009, 10:48 CDT

At least 15 new sites to be turned on in 2009

ALBANY, N.Y., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- With the summer vacation season officially underway, Verizon Wireless announced today it plans to activate at least 10 new cell sites in the Adirondacks Region in 2009. This will bring the company's total number of cell sites in the region to more than 90, including 26 currently operating within the Adirondack Park itself. The company is also moving forward with its efforts to bring coverage to the Northway corridor. To date, Verizon Wireless has activated four of its planned 13 new sites to bring service to the previously uncovered stretch of Interstate 87.

"Today's announcement reflects Verizon Wireless' commitment to providing its customers with the most reliable wireless service -- at home, at work, and on vacation," said Marquett Smith, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "We've taken the lead on expanding wireless service throughout the Adirondacks Region -- both inside the Adirondack Park and outside. We believe wireless service is essential to the people who live in the region, the first responders who protect them, and the businesses that drive that region's economy."

The new sites, as well as all of the company's existing cell sites in Upstate New York, will not only give customers access to reliable voice service, but also to MobileBroadband, the company's high-speed wireless Internet service.

Verizon Wireless has activated 14 new sites in the North Country in the last 18 months. The new sites planned for 2009 will be in locations throughout the region. At an average cost of $550,000 per site, this represents a more than $5 million investment in the region this year.

This network enhancement 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. The company has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. This year, the company plans to invest more than $100 million in its Upstate New York network, bringing its total network investment in the region to more than $1 billion since 2001.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless' services continued during the first quarter of 2009 as the company added 1.3 million net new customers. Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer loyalty, reported the lowest customer turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the industry -- 1.47 percent in the first quarter -- for the 18th consecutive quarter.

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.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE 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

Source: PR Newswire

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