In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in communities up and down the I-81 corridor in Virginia, Verizon Wireless has completed work that increases the number of calls its wireless network can handle. In Spring Hill, Kiser Hill, Waynesboro, Reservoir Hill, South Staunton, Weyers Cave, Tinkling Springs, Sampson, Middle River, Elkton and surrounding communities, the call-handling capacity of the Verizon Wireless network has been increased by 25 percent. In Stuarts Draft, Greenville and Spottswood, call-handling capacity has been increased by 50 percent.
These network improvements are 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. The company spent $264 million in 2008 on regional network improvements and so far in 2009, has invested $153 million, bringing total network investment in the region since 2000 to more than $2 billion.
“We’ve always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on,” said Mike Maiorana, regional president, Verizon Wireless. “We continue to aggressively invest in our network throughout Virginia to increase both coverage and capacity for our customers and to add new services.”
Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, ESPN MVP and MobileBroadband, the company’s 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, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.
Strong demand for Verizon Wireless’ services continued during the second quarter of 2009 as the company added 1.1 million net new customers. Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer loyalty, reported the lowest customer turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the industry – 1.37 percent in the second quarter – for the 19th consecutive quarter.
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. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 800.2.JOININ or go to www.verizonwireless.com.