Verizon Wireless Invested More Than $163 Million In Philadelphia Region Wireless Network In 2009

TREVOSE, PA — Verizon Wireless today announced the completion of $163 million in wireless network enhancements in 2009 across the Philadelphia Tri-State Region, which comprises central and eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

The network investment is part of more than $1.3 billion invested in the region and more than $50 billion invested across the nation since the company was formed in 2000.

2009 Regional Investment Highlights:

• Upgraded equipment on 450 existing cell sites throughout the region, increasing 3G network capacity and coverage.
• Activated 86 new cell sites to improve voice and data coverage and increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently
• Deployed five portable COLTs (Cells on Light Trucks) to boost coverage and capacity for special events including NASCAR races at Dover Downs in Dover, Del. and Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., and the World Series in Philadelphia.
• Three area technicians – part of a team of real life test men and women the company employs across the country – traveled 31,000 miles across the region in test vehicles each equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers to measure the call quality and data network performance on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of other wireless carriers.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on,” said Mario Turco, president of Verizon Wireless’ Philadelphia Tri-State Region. “The investment of another $163 million in the region further increases the 3G advantage our customers enjoy in the home, at the office or on vacation. We expect to commercially launch our Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people.”

Verizon Wireless has the largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G network coverage area in the United States. The 3G high-speed mobile broadband network keeps customers connected and gives them the ability to browse the Web on their notebook computers or smartphones at faster speeds (average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second to 1.4 megabits per second, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps). Customers can also download and use apps, from mobile social networking portals to streaming radio, stay abreast of the latest news, quickly download and play music or send e-mails with large attachments. View a map of Verizon Wireless’ 3G coverage, compared with competitors’ 3G coverage at http://bit.ly/3VIeox.

The Verizon Wireless network also is built for reliability during emergencies, such as power outages and extreme weather conditions, with redundancy capabilities in place to maintain service for Philadelphia Tri-State Region customers when they need it the most.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: Test Man Ride-Along Program
To set up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Lori Dandelias at 215-790-4383

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ 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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