Most Reliable Wireless Network Just Got Better for Customers in Northern Michigan
$750,000 Integration of Verizon Wireless' and Alltel's Networks Delivers Stronger Coverage in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse Counties
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., June 2 -- Verizon Wireless today announced it has completed a $750,000 integration of its network with that of Alltel across much of northern Michigan, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse counties, to provide customers with clearer reception, fewer dropped calls and more coverage, including stronger in-building coverage.
Verizon Wireless' voice network and high-speed 3G data network (that lets customers rely on their phones for just about everything other than making calls) combined with that of Alltel creates the largest wireless network footprint in the United States. The integration enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones.
"The addition of Alltel's network to the Verizon Wireless network provides our customers with unmatched coverage across northern Michigan," said Greg Haller, president-Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "Our high-speed 3G broadband wireless network is the largest and most reliable in the United States, and network reliability is the No. 1 reason customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless. We are committed to continuing to perfect our network so that our customers in Michigan know they can depend on us every time they use their wireless devices."
Verizon Wireless has been preparing to integrate Alltel's network since completing its purchase of the company more than a year ago. Alltel's 3G data network has been upgraded to the latest revision of wireless broadband technology to enable faster delivery of data services, including email and browsing the Internet.
Verizon Wireless has invested more than $59 billion since it was formed--$5.7 billion on average every year--to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.4 billion on improvements to its wireless network in Michigan.
About Verizon Wireless in Michigan
In Michigan, Verizon Wireless has more than 2,100 employees and 65 company-owned retail locations in more than 40 cities, including Allen Park, Alpena, Alpine Twp., Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Battle Creek, Bay City, Brighton, Burton, Canton, Clinton Twp., Dearborn, Detroit, East Lansing, Escanaba, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Flint, Fort Gaylord, Gratiot, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Highland Park, Holland, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Jackson, Kentwood, Lake Orion, Lansing, Livonia, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Northville, Novi, Okemos, Petoskey, Pontiac, Portage, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, St. Joseph, Southfield, Taylor, Traverse City, Troy, Utica, Warren and Westland.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ)(NASDAQ:VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD). For more information, visit http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Source: Verizon Wireless
CONTACT: Michelle Gilbert, Verizon Wireless, +1-248-915-3680,
michelle.gilbert@verizonwireless.com; Jennifer Cherry For Verizon Wireless,
+1-248-855-6777, jcherry@marxlayne.com