Press Release Source: Verizon Wirelessicon


Capital Region Residents to Benefit from Verizon Wirelessicon Network Expansion
Thursday October 11, 9:32 am ET
Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access, and Music


ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in the Capital Region, Verizon Wirelessicon has expanded its network with a new cell site in Troy. The new site improves coverage and capacity in the towns of Troy and North Greenbush, along Routes 4 and 136, and on the Hudson Valley Community College campus.
This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion since it was formed -- more than $5 billion on average every year -- to increase coverage and capacity and to offer customers the most reliable service available in the nation.

Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, VCAST and VCAST Music, ESPN MVP and BroadbandAccess, the company's high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and business customers. It provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second (mbps), and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the second quarter of 2007 as the company added 1.6 million net new customers. Verizon Wireless is the leader in wireless customer loyalty, posting a retail customer turnover rate of 1.08% in the second quarter, well below the rate reported by the other major wireless carriers.

The company's 'nation's most reliable wireless network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country who inspired the "Can you hear me now" national advertising campaign. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles over 240,000 miles on average each quarter on Interstate, US and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 750,000 voice call attempts and more than four million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

Verizon Wireless recently introduced its 30-day Test Drive, an industry first that lets customers experience its network virtually risk-free for 30 days. If customers are not satisfied with their experience and take their number to another carrier, Verizon Wireless will refund their money for calls, equipment, activation fee and taxes. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless.

About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - News) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD - News News). Find more information on the Web at Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless. 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.


CONTACT:
John O'Malley
585-321-7264 or 585-261-5899
john.omalley@verizonwireless.com

Meredith Dropkin
315-233-3000
meredithd@mragroup.com




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Source: Verizon Wireless