Verizon To Launch 4G LTE Network In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, May 17, 2012

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Verizon Wireless announced today it is bringing the world’s first large-scale 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to Myrtle Beach, S.C. on May 17, 2012. The availability of a 4G LTE wireless network in Myrtle Beach is part of the company’s aggressive expansion of its network in South Carolina and its plans to offer the advanced technology to the entire state by 2013. Verizon Wireless currently covers nearly 55 percent of South Carolina’s population with the lightning fast 4G LTE network, which delivers speeds ten times faster than 3G networks.

 “We’re committed to providing our consumers with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in America, and our plans to launch 4G LTE in Myrtle Beach this year is evidence our team’s ongoing focus,” said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless’ Carolinas/Tennessee region. “The speed, in-building penetration, and reliability of our 4G LTE allow consumers and businesses to expect a new level of efficiency and productivity from a wireless network.”

 Verizon Wireless is building its 4G LTE network with the same commitment to performance and dependability for which it has long been recognized. The company’s laser focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year. Average data rates for Verizon’s 4G LTE are 5-12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2-5 Mbps on the uplink in real-world, loaded network environments.  These speeds are significantly faster than Verizon Wireless and other wireless providers’ current or promised 3G network speeds. 

 By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage.  The company is currently installing LTE equipment at existing cell sites and switching centers around the United States as part of its extensive, ongoing investment in its voice and data network infrastructure. 

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. 

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 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.

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