Verizon Wireless Invested More Than $30 Million in Its New Mexico and El Paso, Texas Network in 2003
ALBQUERQUE, NM — Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, invested more than $30 million in its wireless network in 2003 in New Mexico and El Paso. The capital expenditure was part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive, national network enhancement program, investing $4 billion a year for the last three years. Network upgrades delivered new services including Picture Messaging, national Push to Talk service and high-speed wireless data service throughout the county. The investment also increased coverage and call capacity to meet increasing demand for wireless service.
In New Mexico and El Paso, the enhancements expanded the company's geographic footprint by more than 45 percent and increased call capacity by 15 percent, enabling the network to handle even more simultaneous voice and data calls. Network usage in New Mexico and El Paso increased more than 45 percent in 2003 over 2002.
"Now that Americans can switch wireless providers and keep their phone number, our consistent commitment to network quality gives them one more reason to get on and stay on the largest and most reliable all-digital network in the country," said Tami Erwin, regional president, Verizon Wireless.
Verizon Wireless introduced a number of new services in 2003, including its popular Picture Messaging, which lets customers snap a picture with their camera phone and send it to another Verizon Wireless customer, any e-mail address or a virtual photo album online. Customers can use the service on their own terms subscribe to a bundle of picture messages, or snap and send on a pay-as-they-go basis. BroadbandAccess service, which the company recently announced will be rolled out nationally over the next two years, was launched in San Diego, Calif., and Washington, D.C. in 2003. Powered by a third generation (3G) wide-area network, BroadbandAccess commercial service offers businesses and consumers average data speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps).
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 37.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com.
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