Most Reliable Wireless Network Just Got Better In Southern Ohio

PORTSMOUTH, OH — Verizon Wireless today announced it has completed the integration of its network with that of Alltel in portions of Gallia, Jackson and Scioto counties to provide customers with clearer reception, fewer dropped calls and more coverage, including stronger in-building coverage.

Verizon Wireless’ voice and high-speed 3G data network combined with that of Alltel creates the largest wireless network footprint in the United States. The integration in this area enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make 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 on the nation’s most reliable wireless network.

Cities, landmarks and major roadways directly affected by the network integration include:

• The Ohio communities of Beaver, Franklin Furnace, Jackson, Lucasville, Portsmouth, Richmond Dale, Rio Grande, Wellston and Winchester;
• South along U.S. Highway 35 from Richmond Dale to Rio Grande;
• East along State Route 32 from just south of Beaver to just south of Wellston;
• Southeast along U.S. Route 52 from Portsmouth to Franklin Furnace, and;
• South along U.S. Route 23 from Lucasville to Portsmouth.

“The integration of Alltel’s network to the Verizon Wireless network provides our customers with unmatched coverage in the area,” said Mark Frazier, president– Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “Now our high-speed 3G broadband wireless network is the largest and most reliable in the United States, and network reliability is the No. 1 reason customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless. We are committed to continuing to perfect our network so that our customers in Ohio know they can depend on us every time they use their wireless devices.”

Verizon Wireless has been preparing to integrate Alltel’s network since completing its purchase of the company in 2009. Alltel’s 3G data network has been upgraded to the latest revision of wireless broadband technology to enable faster delivery of data applications, including e-mail and browsing the Internet.

The company’s ongoing network investment in Ohio now totals nearly $1.9 billion. Nationally, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $65 billion since its inception to increase the wireless voice and data coverage of its national network and to add new 3G services like Mobile Broadband and V CAST.

For Verizon Wireless Updates on Twitter
Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in Ohio by following @merrila on Twitter at http://twitter.com/merrila. For the latest network-related news, information and upgrades, follow @VZWNetwork on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNetwork.

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 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 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.

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