Network Now 100 Percent EV-DO Rev. A Technology; Customers Enjoy Advanced
Wireless Broadband Services
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today
that it has completed enhancements to its most advanced 3G high-speed
wireless network (EV-DO Rev. A) throughout Florida, allowing customers to
browse the Internet, download music, send e-mail and multimedia messages,
and access other advanced wireless services more reliably and at even
faster broadband speeds.
The enhancements to the EV-DO Rev. A network -- which stands for
Evolution-Data Optimized Revision A -- took nearly two years, and entailed
installing the most advanced hardware and software on thousands of cell
sites in the Verizon Wireless network in Florida, as well as updating and
optimizing technology in five 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 Frank Wise, network director for the Verizon Wireless Florida
region. "But here's what it means for Florida customers: the fastest, most
advanced and most reliable wireless broadband services are now available on
a wireless network that covers about 25,000 square miles and 95 percent of
the state's population."
The EV-DO Rev. A enhancements are part of the company's $250 million
network investment in Florida during the past 18 months. Since 2000, the
company has spent nearly $1.8 billion on network enhancements in the state,
and more than $45 billion throughout the nation. Verizon Wireless invests
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.
This recent investment helps provide high-speed 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, gas station locations and pricing; as well as
the newest, most reliable Push to Talk technology and network available.
EV-DO Rev. A technology also allows 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 anytime, anywhere via a high-speed secure
connection. BroadbandAccess offers average download speeds of 600 kilobits
per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average 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.
The EV-DO Rev. A enhancement and ongoing network investment also helps
Verizon Wireless customers enjoy the most reliable wireless coverage and
clearer call reception.
"We know how important it is for Floridians to be able to count on
their wireless phones everyday and every call," said Pam Tope, Florida
region president. "So we will continue to invest to provide the strongest
and most reliable network for wireless consumers."
In addition to the EV-DO Rev. A enhancements, other Verizon Wireless
network investment and reliability highlights in Florida include:
-- The construction of more than 50 new wireless transmission sites so
far in 2008.
-- About 85 percent of all Verizon Wireless transmission sites have
their own on-site generators and new expanded fuel tanks in case of power
failures and other emergencies.
-- The start of construction on a high-tech $50 million switching
facility in Southeast Florida that will expand and reinforce wireless
network capacity and help enhance services for customers throughout the
region.
-- Completing a $20 million enhancement to the company's Tampa Bay
switching facility.
-- Verizon Wireless network technicians (who serve as the inspiration
for the famous TV Test Man) traveled more than 100,000 miles across the
state so far this year in special vehicles equipped with phones, wireless
data devices and computers to measure the quality of voice and data calls
on Verizon Wireless and other carriers.
About Verizon Wireless
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). For more information, go to: http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
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