Verizon Wireless Expands Wireless Broadband Network Across More Of West Michigan

Full Transparency

Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication.

More of our content is being permanently logged via blockchain technology starting [10.23.2020].

Learn more

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has expanded the national rollout of its high-speed wireless network across much of its west Michigan coverage area.

The expansion provides continuous coverage along Interstate 96 from Muskegon to Detroit; along U.S. Highway 31 from Pentwater to Holland; and along Interstate 196 from Grand Rapids to South Haven. Also with the expansion, Verizon Wireless' entire Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon coverage areas are equipped with the company's high-speed wireless network.

"West Michigan is a vital market with dynamic, tech-savvy business people, consumers, students and faculty who want to stay connected," said Greg Haller, president—Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky region, Verizon Wireless. "The expansion of our broadband network here provides our customers with access to the very latest wireless technology in more places."

With the wireless broadband network now available across much of the company's west Michigan coverage area, Verizon Wireless customers can enjoy two prime services from more locations:

  • BroadbandAccess, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that equips Verizon Wireless' business customers with a truly untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, the Internet, e-mail and critical business information residing behind their companies' firewalls; and
  • V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.

BroadbandAccess
Based on Evolution-Data Optimized Revision A (EV-DO Rev. A) network technology, BroadbandAccess provides mobile workers with the ability to access their corporate information as if they were attached to this data via a high-speed wired connection but with the freedom of true mobility. Developed with a range of users in mind, the service enables large enterprises, small- to medium-sized businesses and mobile professionals to conduct business anytime, anywhere in the BroadbandAccess coverage area via a secure, true high-speed data connection.

With BroadbandAccess, business customers, residents and visitors can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500 kbps to 800 kbps. That means they can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment-the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file-in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

BroadbandAccess also enables Verizon Wireless customers to download files approximately 10 times faster than customers of wireless service providers that use different broadly deployed network technologies. Furthermore, customers who travel outside the enhanced BroadbandAccess coverage area with an EV-DO device will switch seamlessly to the company's NationalAccess service.

"Our enhanced BroadbandAccess service gives our customers three key advantages in wireless communication-speed, mobility and security," Haller said. "With these advantages comes an increase in productivity and bottom-line business benefits."

V CAST: Video and Music
The company's wireless broadband network also enables its V CAST multimedia services, which offer customers the ability to download full-song tracks, play cutting-edge 3D games and stream video clips straight to the handset with top transmission speeds. With content updated daily, customers can watch dozens of on demand videos, including breaking news, weather updates, sports highlights, and the hottest entertainment clips.

With V CAST Music, Verizon Wireless has built a massive full-song mobile music store that contains more than 2.1 million songs-from well-known as well as independent artists-that customers can download over-the-air, directly onto their V CAST Music-enabled wireless phones.

Investment
The multi-million dollar expansion includes the installation of high-tech wireless hardware and software in wireless transmission sites throughout the region. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion since it was formed-more than $5 billion on average every year-to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. More than $1 billion of this investment was spent in Michigan.

Verizon Wireless was the first national wireless provider to commercially launch a high-speed wireless broadband network in the United States, which is available to more than 210 million people across the country. In Michigan, VerizonWireless' broadband network is also available across southeastern Michigan, the greater Flint area, the greater Lansing area, Mount Pleasant, Clare, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and Traverse City. Verizon Wireless' broadband network was first introduced in Michigan in July 2005 in southeastern Michigan.

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

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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.

####

Related Articles

02/15/2021

Virtual Reality (VR) has begun to transform medicine in profound ways. VR solutions are being used to train doctors and to plan and practice operations.

10/23/2020

Verizon’s military discounts site shows everything you need to know about Wireless offers, FiOS savings and military career opportunities, all in one place, making it simple for service members and veterans to discover what Verizon has to offer.