IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading provider of wireless services, has invested more than $250 million in its network in Southern California since the beginning of 2003. Improvements have impacted nearly every network mile from Ventura County to the Mexican Border and enhanced the company's wireless reach and capability in the most populated region of the United States.
Verizon Wireless' Southern California investment is part of the company's aggressive national network investment program, which has averaged $4 billion a year for the last two years.
Among the enhancements has been the doubling of capacity for voice calls and the extension of its high-speed data network, known as Express Network(sm). Verizon Wireless' Express Network allows customers throughout the Southern California region, and across the nation, to send and receive information from their laptop computers wirelessly at speeds similar to, or better than, what they experience when dialing in from their home computers.
"With local number portability right around the corner, it is more important than ever that we continue to ensure our network superiority," said Marni Walden, president -- Southern California Region. "Extra capacity for voice calls and high-speed wireless data access on our Express Network are helping us meet consumer and business needs. For example, Express Network, now available in thousands of cities and towns across the nation on Verizon Wireless' network, has become a key tool for many businesses -- from major corporations to small businesses -- for whom it is essential that data be sent to, and received from, employees in the field."
Emboldened by its successes and by consumer demand for high-quality products, the investment also enabled Verizon Wireless to launch two new services this summer. Push to Talk and Picture Messaging are becoming the most demanded handsets among both business and consumer sectors.
Verizon Wireless customers can communicate easily and dependably with a walkie-talkie service that allows them to identify who's available for conversation. In addition, Picture Messaging enables users to take pictures with what is now the industry's easiest and most efficient handset, requiring just four "clicks," or taps on the keypad, to take and transmit a photo with or without a text message.
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 34.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD) (LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.