Verizon Wireless Completes 3G Network Boost Across Georgia

Verizon Wireless announced today that it has completed enhancements to its most advanced 3G high-speed wireless network throughout Georgia, allowing customers to browse the Internet, download music, send e-mail and multimedia messages and access other advanced wireless services more reliably at even faster broadband speeds.

The enhancements to the EV-DO Rev. A network -- which stands for Evolution-Data Optimized, Revision A -- entailed installing its most advanced hardware and software on more than 1,200 cell sites in the Verizon Wireless network across Georgia as well as adding 100 new cell sites in 2008 to date. In addition, the company has optimized technology in Verizon Wireless regional network switching facilities throughout the state.

"We know 3G, EV-DO and Rev. A sound like part of a technical alphabet soup," said Jeff Mango, president -- Georgia/Alabama region, Verizon Wireless. "But here's what it means for Georgians: The most reliable wireless broadband services are now available on a wireless network that covers about 40,000 square miles and over 90 percent of the state's population."

The EV-DO Rev. A enhancements are part of the company's ongoing investment in Georgia, more than $120 million in 2008 alone, giving customers access to advanced services such as V CAST, which allows customers to stream video clips, play cutting-edge 3D games and download full-song tracks over the air; VZ Navigator(SM), a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, and gas station locations and pricing; as well as its newest Push to Talk technology.

EV-DO Rev. A technology also enables the highest speed wireless connection to BroadbandAccess, the company's business data service, which allows customers to wirelessly access their e-mail and calendars, the Internet and other information via a high-speed connection with the security of CDMA technology. BroadbandAccess offers average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means customers can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment -- the equivalent of a small PowerPoint(R) presentation or a large PDF file -- in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $45 billion -- $5.5 billion on average every year -- since the company was formed in 2000 to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. In the last four years, Verizon Wireless has invested more in its network than any other wireless service provider and already has announced that the company is working on its Long-Term Evolution -- what some are calling 4G -- network technology.

Other examples of company leadership include being the first national carrier to offer nationwide plans with unlimited calling and the only provider to offer a 30-day network Test Drive pledge that pays for calls if a customer isn't satisfied and switches to another carrier. "We know how important it is for Georgians to be able to count on their wireless phones every day and every call," said Mango. "So we will continue to invest to provide the strongest and most reliable network and provide the best customer service for wireless consumers."

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).