From north to south and east to west, Idahoans are making more wireless calls and data transmissions thanks to Verizon Wireless’ $38 million network investment in 2007. That’s an average of more than $104 thousand per day spent to provide customers in the state with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless.
The company’s ongoing network investment now totals more than $170 million in Idaho and $44 billion nationally over the past seven years. The investment delivers enhanced coverage, call quality, network reliability and new services to enable customers to get more done wirelessly.
The upgrades include adding eight new cell sites, updating many others and further improving backup power capabilities. The multi-million-dollar investment also includes the expansion of the company’s Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) broadband wireless data network to Blackfoot, Burley, Donnelly, Gooding, Hagerman, Ketchum and Weiser.
More specifically the network investments made last year in Idaho are delivering:
Expanded coverage and call capacity
- Eight new cell sites throughout the state, including those that improved coverage in the communities of Gooding, Hailey and Kimberly.
- Network enhancements to keep ahead of the growth in the number of voice and data calls happening at the same time. Growth in voice usage in the past year has topped 10% while wireless data traffic, such as text messaging, e-mail and V CAST Music, increased 180%.
Most reliable wireless network in the nation
- Verizon Wireless’ network technicians (who serve as the inspiration for the famous “It’s the Network” ad campaign) traveled approximately 15,000 miles across the state last year. The technicians measure the quality of voice and data calls on the Verizon Wireless network and on other carriers’ networks.
- Deployment of a Cell on Light Truck (COLT) mobile cell site to provide wireless communications service to assist firefighters and other emergency personnel during the wildfires in the remote areas of the state last summer.
- Additional generators and other equipment to provide backup power in the event of a commercial power failure.
New wireless technologies and devices
- More customers can now access high-speed wireless Internet, e-mail, mobile music and more. The high speed data network that enables both BroadbandAccess and V CAST services.
- The network expansion supported the introductions of many new wireless devices giving customers a comprehensive selection of music, multimedia, e-mail and voice services. In the fourth quarter the company introduced four flagship devices: the Juke by Samsung, the Venus™ by LG and The Voyager™ by LG, exclusive to Verizon Wireless; and the BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphone.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD)(LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.
Contacts:
Bob Kelley, 303-694-8990
robert.kelley@verizonwireless.com
