Verizon Wireless Launches 4G LTE Network In Columbus, Mississippi Today

COLUMBUS, MS — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has launched its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Columbus, enabling customers in Columbus to take advantage of the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

With Verizon’s 4G LTE network, customers can enjoy the fastest wireless data experience when they stream video, share music and photos, download files, and surf the Web, with speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G networks.

“We are proud to offer our customer even more 4G LTE network coverage in Mississippi, and with the addition of Columbus, Verizon now offers high-speed wireless communications to customers in three of north Mississippi’s largest cities,” said Dean Taylor, president of the South Central Region of Verizon Wireless. “With additional enhancements and advanced technologies, we will continue to enable individuals, business, government and schools to connect with the speed that only 4G LTE can provide.”

Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network is also available in the Tupelo and Starkville areas.

Verizon Wireless invested $7.5 million in 2011 to improve and expand wireless broadband access and voice service in Mississippi. Almost 92 percent of the population in northern Mississippi is currently covered by Verizon’s 3G network, the largest, most reliable high-speed network for voice and data services in the country.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless invests an average of $6 billion annually to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide networks and to add new services.

Ranked highest in five out of six U.S. regions according to J.D. Power and Associates’ latest report, Verizon Wireless receives the fewest reports of dropped calls, initial connections, transmission failures and late text messages than any other wireless provider.

4G LTE Coverage and Speed

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, Verizon 4G LTE customers should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, 4G LTE devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless projects that it will cover its entire 3G footprint nationwide with 4G LTE, the fastest network for transferring data wirelessly, by the end of 2013.

4G LTE Devices and Plans

Verizon Wireless customers can purchase a wide variety of 4G LTE devices, including the DROID 4 by Motorola and the DROID RAZR™ MAXX™ by Motorola, that will connect to the nation’s fastest 4G network. Details on available devices can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE and information on plans and pricing is available at www.verizonwireless.com/plans.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves nearly 108 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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.

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