TMCnet News
Verizon Wireless Invests $90 Million in IndianaINDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today it invested more than $90 million in 2010 to enhance its network in Indiana. The investment included 35 new cell sites, upgrading equipment on more than 400 existing cell sites to increase coverage and capacity of the company's voice and 3G high-speed wireless network, and prepping the backbone of the network for deploying 4G LTE across the state. "Our company is focused on building a reliable 4G network both here in Indiana and nationwide, but we also remain committed to improving our 3G network which millions of customers rely on daily," said Beth Drohan, Midwest Area vice president-network, Verizon Wireless. "Customers may use their wireless devices in different ways, but they all have one need in common--a reliable network." Drohan said the strategic investment will help cities like Indianapolis be prepared for the Super Bowl in 2012 when more than 73,000 ticket holders will pack into Lucas Oil Stadium and visitors will blanket downtown Indianapolis landmarks, hotels and restaurants. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.15 billion on improvements to its network in Indiana, including the following upgrades made in 2010: Thirty-five new cell sites were activated enabling more customers to use their phones for social networking, Internet browsing, downloading apps and music, exchanging email and text, picture and video messages, watching high-quality videos and making calls. Equipment was installed at more than 400 cell sites across Indiana to boost capacity of the company's advanced 3G high-speed wireless network and improve speed and performance. New equipment was installed across the network in preparation of deploying 4G LTE, which will increase bandwidth to handle more data traffic. Permanent backup generators were installed at 26 cell sites to ensure the network remains reliable during times of crisis. Temporary cell sites were deployed at high-profile events during the year that draw large crowds, including Indianapolis Colts home games and the men's college basketball finals at Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as racing events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway such as the Brickyard 400, Indianapolis 500 and U.S. MotoGP. For Verizon Wireless Updates on Twitter Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in Indiana by following @VZWMichelle on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vzwmichelle. For the latest network-related news, information and upgrades, follow @VZWNetwork on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNetwork. About Verizon Wireless in Indiana In Indiana, Verizon Wireless has more than 550 employees and 38 company-owned retail locations in 24 cities, including Anderson, Avon, Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus, Elkhart, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Greenwood, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrence, Merrillville, Mishawaka, Muncie, Noblesville, Plainfield, Portage, Schererville, South Bend, Terre Haute, Valparaiso and Warsaw. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit 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. SOURCE Verizon Wireless |