Verizon Wireless Completes Purchase Of Southeastern New Mexico Rural Market

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless announced today it has completed its purchase of wireless assets in New Mexico RSA #6, owned by E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and its subsidiary Plateau Telecommunications and operated under the brand name Plateau Wireless.  The purchase will expand Verizon Wireless’ brand and network footprint in southeastern New Mexico to the counties of Eddy, Chaves, Lea, Otero and a portion of Lincoln that it doesn’t currently serve.  Financial terms are not being disclosed. 

The purchase includes Plateau Wireless’ Cellular, PCS and AWS spectrum covering the market, as well as customers and related GSM operations.  The licenses and the operating assets being acquired cover a population of 259,000 and approximately 26,100 square miles, including state highways U.S. 285, U.S. 54 and U.S. 70.  Major population centers include Roswell, Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs, N.M.

Verizon Wireless will convert the Plateau Wireless GSM network to CDMA for voice service; and EV-DO (3G) and 4G LTE for data services.  Verizon Wireless will serve acquired Plateau Wireless customers, using the existing Plateau Wireless brand name, until the network conversion is complete in 2013.  At that time, Plateau Wireless customers will receive a letter from Verizon Wireless explaining their service transition.

“We are excited to expand our presence and coverage in rural New Mexico and to welcome Plateau Wireless’ customers to the nation’s most reliable network.  We believe the strength of our network enables people to live better and stronger lives,” said Andrés Irlando, president, Southwest Region, for Verizon Wireless. 

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $70 billion – more than $6 billion on average every year – since its inception to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network, including the building and rapid expansion of its 4G LTE network, which currently is available to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 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 E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and Plateau Telecommunications
Formed in 1949 as Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative, E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and its subsidiary Plateau Telecommunications provide advanced telecommunications services (including 16,000 access lines and over 64,000 Internet and wireless subscribers) in all or parts of 18 counties in eastern New Mexico and 12 counties in the Texas Panhandle. Plateau continues its commitment to expand and strengthen the existing network to meet the rapidly changing demands of its customers and remains focused in the investment in and support of the rural communities served.

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