PalmettoNet Helps Verizon Wireless Build The First 4G LTE Network In The Country By Providing Fiber To The Tower Connectivity In The Carolinas

LAS VEGAS, NV; COLUMBIA, SC; and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — From CTIA WIRELESS 2010®, PalmettoNet and Verizon Wireless announced today Verizon Wireless is using PalmettoNet’s Fiber to the Tower technology in the Carolinas as it builds the nation’s first 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

Verizon Wireless is utilizing the PalmettoNet network to provide high-speed fiber connectivity from the tower to increase its customers’ wireless experiences. “PalmettoNet is excited about working with Verizon Wireless to deliver high-speed access to both rural and metro areas of North and South Carolina,” said Grey Humphrey, president, PalmettoNet. “The PalmettoNet network is a perfect fit for Verizon Wireless 4G LTE deployments.”

Nicola Palmer, Verizon Wireless network vice president, said, “We are pleased with the progress we’re seeing from PalmettoNet and look forward to meeting customer demand for LTE in the Carolinas.”

Verizon Wireless’ LTE rollout plan positions the company as a global leader in 4G LTE deployment, and it is on track to deliver the nation’s first 4G LTE network to customers in 25 to 30 markets, covering roughly 100 million people by year’s end. Verizon Wireless has been conducting trials in Boston and Seattle since August 2009 that have indicated that the network is capable of peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps), peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps, and average data rates of 5 to 12 Mbps on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink in real-world environments. The speeds are significantly faster than Verizon Wireless and other wireless providers’ current or promised 3G network speeds.

By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage and in-building penetration. Verizon Wireless is currently installing LTE equipment at existing cell sites and switching centers around the United States as part of its extensive, ongoing investment in its voice and data network infrastructure.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. For more information about PalmettoNet, visit www.palmettonet.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 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.

About PalmettoNet
Since 1985, PalmettoNet has operated as the premier wholesale carrier’s carrier in the Carolinas. Providing broadband connectivity through long haul transport and metro services, PalmettoNet offers the extensive coverage required for today’s technology. PalmettoNet is headquartered in Columbia, SC. For more information, please visit www.palmettonet.com.

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