Verizon activates Six new sites in South Dakota

[mezzedup]

http://news.vzw.com/news/2007/04/pr2007-04-17t.html

South Dakota Residents Talking More
Verizon Wireless Activates Six New Cell Sites



Media Contact Info

Karen Smith
Karen.Smith@VerizonWireless.com
763-595-2511

Heidi Dunkelman
For Verizon Wireless
Heidi.albersgroup@cox.net
888-296-2411, ext. 4



04/17/2007

SIOUX FALLS, SD — Verizon Wireless, the only major carrier with a 30-day network test-drive pledge that pays for calls if a customer isn’t satisfied and switches to another carrier, today announced the activation of six new cell sites to accommodate South Dakota residents’ growing wireless phone use. The network improvements enable more customers to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive e-mail and TXT, Picture and Video Messages; and download games and Ring Tones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls in South Dakota.

“Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless,” said Nancy B. Clark, president–Great Plains region, Verizon Wireless. “Getting through on the first try and maintaining a connection are important to our customers. We continue to optimize our network so that it remains reliable.”

In the first quarter of this year, six new cell sites were activated in South Dakota to increase capacity and extend coverage in the following areas:

Sioux Falls: Two new cell sites improved coverage for businesses near the busy shopping district along Louise Ave. and south to Interstate 229 and near the intersection of West 12th St. and North Kiwanis Ave.
Downtown Huron: Improved in-building coverage in downtown Huron.
Ellsworth Air Force Base: Capacity and coverage were improved throughout the Ellsworth Air Force Base and along Interstate 90, approximately three miles east of the Ellsworth exit and as far west as County Road 219.
Custer: Additional network coverage and capacity were added to downtown Custer and surrounding areas.
Lead: A new cell site in west Lead has improved both coverage and capacity near the intersection of Highway 14 and Highway 85 as well as surrounding areas.
These network improvements are part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in South Dakota and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested $35 billion in the last seven years—$5 billion on average every year since the company was formed—to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. More than $145 million of this investment was spent on network enhancements in South Dakota over the last six years. In 2006 alone, the company invested $42.7 million in the state with the addition of 17 new cell sites and equipment upgrades to an additional 47 sites. Verizon Wireless has also equipped 73 percent of its South Dakota cell sites with permanent backup generators to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 65,000 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 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.


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