Verizon Wireless Invests More Than $37 Million in 2007 to Enhance Wisconsin Network

New Cell Sites, Equipment Upgrades, and High-Speed Wireless Network Expansion Improve System


MILWAUKEE, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless announced today it has invested more than $37 million in 2007 to enhance its digital network in Wisconsin. The enhancements included building new cell sites, upgrading existing cell sites, increasing coverage area, and expanding its high-speed wireless broadband network to many new markets.


“Our mission in 2008 is to continue perfecting our network so that our customers can depend on us every time they pick up their wireless phones,” said T.J. Fox, president-Wisconsin/Illinois Region, Verizon Wireless.


Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested over


$222 million on improvements to its network in Wisconsin, including the following upgrades made in 2007:

  — Ten new cell sites were activated statewide to improve network coverage

and capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones concurrently
to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video
messages; download music, games and ringtones; and view high-quality
videos while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
— Equipment on 51 existing cell sites throughout the state was upgraded,
which further improved network capacity.
— Sixty-five permanent backup generators were installed at Wisconsin cell

sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.
— The company also expanded its high-speed wireless broadband network in
the Greater Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Valley areas and now has a
coverage area that spans approximately 7,500 square miles around
Wisconsin With the upgraded network, Verizon Wireless customers are
enjoying two prime services:

— BroadbandAccess, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that

equips Verizon Wireless’ business customers with a truly untethered
mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their
calendars, the Internet, email and critical business information
residing behind their companies’ firewalls; and
— V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers
access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music,
high-quality videos and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.

About Verizon Wireless


Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.


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Source: Verizon Wireless