Saratoga And Washington County, New York, Residents To Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansions

ALBANY, NY — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Saratoga and Washington Counties, Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with new cell sites in Middle Grove and Greenwich.

• The new Middle Grove site improves coverage and capacity in the towns of Greenfield, Middle Grove and Milton, and along Route 29 between Jockey Street and Middleline Road. 
• The new Greenwich site improves coverage and capacity in the town of Greenwich, along Route 29 between Main Street and Ray Road, and on Route 372 between Main Street and Tabor Road.

This network expansion 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 -- $5.5 billion on average every year -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.

Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, ESPN MVP and Mobile Broadband, the company’s high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and business customers. It provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless’ services continued during the fourth quarter of 2008 as the company added 1.4 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 – 1.35 percent in the fourth quarter – for the 17th 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. Nationally, these test men and women drive about 90 specially equipped vehicles almost 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts, to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three 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.  

EDITOR’S NOTE:
If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact John O'Malley at 585-321-7264.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 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.  

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