Verizon Wireless South Carolina Network Teams Rolling, Ready for 2010 Hurricane Season

CHARLESTON, SC – May 20, 2010 – During hurricane season, wireless phones play an especially important public safety role for residents, businesses and emergency workers. To ensure South Carolinians have comprehensive, reliable wireless coverage in case of severe weather, and every day, Verizon Wireless has deployed a team of “test men” across the state in high-tech vehicles to fine-tune the company’s all-digital network.

  Verizon Wireless, which operates the nation’s largest and most reliable voice and 3G data network, invested over $86 million in 2009 to enhance South Carolina’s voice and data services and improve wireless coverage throughout South Carolina, bringing the total statewide network investment to more than $770 million since 2000. Highlights of this investment include erecting new digital cell sites, integrating Alltel Wireless facilities so former Alltel customers will benefit from the more advanced Verizon Wireless network and installing advanced in-building systems at key public and private buildings across the state.

This year, Verizon Wireless plans to launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless services in 25 to 30 markets nationally. LTE will offer customers significantly greater network capacity than even today’s most advanced 3G coverage. 

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with  81,000 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.