Verizon Wireless Turns On 4G LTE In Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, On July 21 And Boosts 3G Coverage With 58 New Cell Sites In The Triangle

RALEIGH, NC — Verizon Wireless announced today it is turning on the world’s first large-scale 4G LTE (Fourth Generation, Long Term Evolution) Network in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. on July 21, 2011. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network is the fastest and most advanced 4G network in America.

The deployment of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. also provides LTE coverage throughout the surrounding areas of Cary, Apex, Clayton, Morrisville, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Gorman, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner and Smithfield.

4G LTE provides wireless consumers access to services up to 10 times faster than the company’s industry-leading 3G network. With this latest progression of wireless technology, the company expects average data rates in real-world, loaded network environments to be 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

These speeds will allow for smooth mobile video-conferencing, multiple simultaneous video streams, speedy transfer of large files, running of powerful programs, downloading of songs in seconds and movies in minutes, and numerous other applications to improve efficiency and productivity wirelessly.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE technology runs on a powerful 700 megahertz wireless frequency which will provide improved coverage strength inside buildings and a contiguous, nationwide network footprint. 

“Verizon Wireless is making the best network even better,” said Jerry Fountain, the president of the Carolinas/Tennessee Region for Verizon Wireless. “Our initial 4G LTE launch gives customers access to the fastest and most advanced mobile network in America. We will quickly expand 4G LTE, and by year-end 2013 we will cover the existing Verizon Wireless 3G coverage area.  The activation of our lightning fast 4G LTE network in the Raleigh-Durham area is further evidence of our commitment to and investment in the residents of this area.”

All the 4G LTE devices are “backward compatible” and – when not in a 4G LTE coverage area –provide access to the Verizon Wireless 3G network.

Verizon Adds 58 New Cell Sites to Boost 3G Coverage in the Triangle

In addition, Verizon Wireless customers in Wake, Durham and Orange Counties are now experiencing clearer reception and stronger in-building coverage after the recent addition of 58 new cell sites. With a 40 percent increase in cell sites in this area, these changes mean dramatically denser site coverage giving customers better service and increased capacity to surf the web, send and receive emails, download apps and make calls with their favorite device on America’s largest and most reliable network.

With these upgrades, Verizon Wireless continues its commitment to enhancing wireless coverage in North Carolina. Verizon invested over $301 million in 2010 to enhance North Carolina’s voice and data services and improve wireless coverage throughout the state, bringing the total statewide network investment to more than $1.4 billion since 2000. These investments in improved 3G coverage and new 4G LTE coverage strategically position Verizon Wireless’ network as the largest and most reliable, as well as the fastest and most advanced, for customers in Raleigh-Durham and surrounding counties.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information on Verizon Wireless 3G and 4G LTE networks, products and services.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 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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