Fifteen New Cell sites, and Alltel Integration Highlight Statewide Efforts
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today that it invested $23 million in the first six months of 2009 on new cell sites, network facilities and numerous other projects to enhance services and coverage for wireless customers across Alabama.
Since 2000, the company has invested nearly $600 million on network enhancements in Alabama, and more than $50 billion across the nation to expand and enhances its voice and data network.
Highlights of these enhancements in the first six months of 2009 include the activation of 15 new cell sites, continued expansion of the company's 3G high-speed data coverage across 28 sites, more than 100 network enhancements and the integration and upgrade of former Alltel Wireless network facilities into the larger and more advanced Verizon Wireless network.
New cell sites
New cell sites were installed and activated throughout Alabama to strengthen coverage and enhance 3G high-speed wireless services for customers. Individual sites were activated in Oakman, Piedmont, the Little River Wildlife Management Area, Huntsville International Airport, Boaz, Centre, Redstone Arsenal, Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Athens, and Madison and Chonchula. All these areas are covered by the most advanced Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO (Rev. A) network.. In addition to the 15 new cell sites, 28 locations in over 20 cities were equipped with new CDMA/EV-DO (Rev. A) to expand the company's wireless high-speed data coverage.
Network Enhancement
Network enhancements were completed in nearly 60 cities across the state to ensure customers have not only the coverage but the capacity to stay connected.
Alltel integration
Verizon Wireless technicians are integrating more than 130 Alltel cell sites and one switching facility across the state to work as part of the largest and most advanced Verizon Wireless network.
Verizon Wireless completed its acquisition of Alltel in January and is the operator of the nation's largest wireless voice and data network, now serving more than 87 million customers across the country.
With the integration of the former Alltel cell sites, the Verizon Wireless company-owned network will cover nearly 96 percent of Alabama's population.
"Our network teams have taken on an extraordinary scope of work so far this year," said Jeff Mango, Georgia/Alabama region president of Verizon Wireless.
