Verizon Wireless Expands 3G Network Coverage in Capital Region
o Seven new cell sites improve coverage and capacity in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Columbia counties -- Provides access to 3G wireless broadband service -- Meet one of Upstate New York's local Test Men, Jack Brandes
ALBANY, N.Y. - Verizon Wireless is investing in the Capital Region and expanding its local coverage with seven new cell sites in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Columbia counties.
Albany County
o A new site in Albany improves coverage and capacity along Route 5 from
Locust Park to Tanglewood Road and Lincoln Avenue from Route 5 to Rapp
Road. It also covers the area around Exit 24 of the New York State
Thruway.
Schenectady County
o A new site in Colonie improves coverage and capacity along Route 5
from Balltown Road to Lisha Kill Road, Kings Road from Highbridge Road
to Morris Road, and Albany Street from Booth Avenue to Morris Road.
Rensselaer County
o A new site in Melrose improves coverage and capacity along Route 40
from Irish Road to Hansen Road, Route 122 from Route 121 to Route 40,
and in the town of Melrose.
o A new site in Schodack improves coverage and capacity along Route 150
from Route 9J to Old Post Road, Route 9J from Route 1 to Staats Island
Road, and in the town of Castleton.
Saratoga County
o A new site in Halfmoon improves coverage and capacity along Route 9
from Vishers Ferry Road to Sitterly Road, Route 236 from Route 9 to
Harris Road, and Grooms Road from Route 9 to the I-87 interchange in
the town of Halfmoon.
Columbia County
o A new site in Canaan improves coverage and capacity along Route 22
from Route 295 to Route 20. It also covers Upper Queechy Road,
including the Queechy Lake residential lake communities.
o A new site in Austerlitz improves coverage and capacity along the
Taconic Parkway from Angel Hill Road to Route 217 and on Harlemville
Road near Water Street.
This network expansion is 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 has invested more than $60 billion nationwide since it was formed - $5.7 billion on average every year - and invested more than $100 million in Upstate New York in 2009.
"We've always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. We continue to aggressively invest in our Upstate New York network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services, and maintain our 3G network leadership," said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region.
Verizon Wireless recently earned recognition from J.D. Power and Associates for "Highest Call Quality Performance among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the Northeast."
Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, and MobileBroadband, the company's high-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 2010 as the company added 1.4 million net new customers.
The company's "nation's most reliable wireless network" reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and 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. Check out our new video of Western New York Test Man, Jack Brandes.
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Source: Verizon Wireless
CONTACT: John O'Malley , +1-585-321-7264 or, +1-585-261-5899, john.omalley@verizonwireless.com, twitter.com/johnnyverizon; or Meredith Dropkin, +1-315-413-4293, mdropkin@mower.com
Web Site: www.verizonwireless.com/
