Verizon Wireless Gives South Carolina Customers Something to Talk About With More Than $30 Million in Network Enhancements in 2008
February 27, 2009
GREENVILLE, SC – February 27, 2009 – Verizon Wireless announced today that it spent more than $30 million in 2008 to enhance voice and data services and coverage throughout South Carolina, bringing the total statewide network investment to more than $671 million since 2000. The investment is part of Verizon Wireless’ aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in South Carolina for the company’s superior voice and data services and to help ensure the South Carolina network is ready when severe weather hits.
Five major areas of improvement across South Carolina in 2008 include:
— Significant enhancements to the Lexington area, including Highway 6 from the Lake Murray dam to U.S. Route 378, Hope Ferry Road and U.S. Route 378 from Interstate 20 to Highway 6.
— Enhanced network coverage along Wells Highway and State Route 59 in the Seneca area.
— Enhanced coverage in areas of Beaufort County including the town of Port Royal, along Highway 21 between Beaufort and St. Helena Island and Parris Island.
— Wireless coverage on Carnation Circle and Highway 17 near the Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach.
— Enhanced coverage from East Georgia Road and Lee Vaughn Road to Scuffletown Road in Simpsonville.
The network enhancements enable more Verizon Wireless customers to use their wireless phones to make calls, send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; and download games and ringtones, all while enjoying superior wireless coverage.
The $30M plus investment includes statewide activation of Verizon Wireless’ national Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network. The enhanced network provides even higher-speed business and entertainment-based services on wireless phones, laptops and other wireless devices with Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess and V CAST multimedia services. Today, over 91 percent of South Carolinians have access to Verizon Wireless’ high-speed broadband service, which gives residents access to high-speed wireless internet in small towns and larger cities.
Nearly every resident of South Carolina has access to our voice and data services, which was a deliberate goal of Verizon Wireless since we started bringing service to this state, said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless’ Carolinas/Tennessee Region. This significant investment grants South Carolina customers superior wireless coverage.
To ensure a superior wireless network, teams of Test Man technicians ride in special vehicles loaded with computers, wireless phones and other equipment to measure and ensure strength and reliability versus other wireless carriers. In 2008, the technicians traveled approximately 22,142 miles on South Carolina roadways.
To meet customers’ growing demand for Verizon Wireless’ products and services across the state, Verizon Wireless has also opened new retail communications stores in Lexington, Spartanburg and Hilton Head. 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.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 83.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.
