Verizon Wireless Expands 3G Network Coverage In Monroe County, New York

ROCHESTER, NY — Verizon Wireless is investing in Monroe County and expanding its local 3G coverage with new cell sites in Rochester and Henrietta.

• A new site in Rochester improves coverage and capacity between Norton Street and Clifford Avenue, and between Joseph Avenue and Carter Street.
• A second new site in Rochester improves coverage and capacity along the Lake Ontario State Parkway and on Pattonwood Drive from Greenleaf Road to St. Paul Boulevard.
• The new site in Henrietta improves coverage and capacity along Erie Station Road between West Henrietta and Countess Road, south to Martin Road and north to Brooks 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 $60 billion nationwide since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – and invested more than $100 million in Upstate New York in 2009.

In addition to ongoing investment in its 3G network, the company recently began rolling out its 4G LTE network in 38 markets nationwide, including Rochester and the New York City area.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. We continue to aggressively invest in our Upstate New York network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services like 4G LTE, and maintain our existing 3G network leadership,” said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region.

Verizon Wireless recently earned recognition from J.D. Power and Associates for “Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Northeast.”

In addition to voice and wireless data services such as V CAST Video and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, the company offers Mobile Broadband, its high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and business customers. In 4G LTE coverage areas, it provides average speeds of 5-12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2-5 Mbps on the uplink in real-world, loaded network environments. In 3G coverage areas, it provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 Mbps, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless’ services continued during the third quarter of 2010 as the company added nearly one million net new customers.

The company’s “nation’s most reliable wireless network” reputation is based on network studies performed by test men and women throughout the country. These engineers drive 100 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3.5 million voice call attempts and more than 19 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers. Check out our new video of Western New York Test Man, Jack Brandes.

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:
Check out our new video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjAvYIWp7lA) of Western New York Test Man, Jack Brandes. If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with Jack, please contact John O'Malley at 585-321-7264.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 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.

####