Verizon Wireless Invests More Than $21.3 Million In 2009 To Enhance South Dakota Network

SIOUX FALLS, SD — Verizon Wireless announced today it invested more than $21.3 million in 2009 to enhance its digital network in South Dakota. The enhancements included building seven new cell sites and upgrading equipment on 34 existing cell sites to increase coverage and capacity of the company’s voice and 3G high-speed wireless network.

“We continue to expand our coverage with new cell sites in South Dakota,” said Nancy Clark, president–Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. “This past year we also significantly expanded our 3G network coverage and capacity within the state. We will continue to invest in our network to enable us to stay ahead of our customers’ increasing demands for fast and secure wireless data services.”

From 2001 through 2009, Verizon Wireless invested more than $221.3 million on improvements to its network in South Dakota, including the following upgrades made in 2009:

• Seven new cell sites were activated throughout the state to improve network coverage and capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones concurrently to make voice calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
• Performance-based equipment was installed at 18 cell sites across South Dakota, increasing capacity of the company’s advanced 3G high-speed wireless network as well as improving its speed and performance.
• Modifications were made to 16 cell sites across South Dakota, which resulted in increased voice capacity of the network.
• Permanent backup generators were installed at an additional 13 South Dakota cell sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $55 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. In 2009 alone, the company invested $7 billion to expand and advance its network.

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: 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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