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Verizon Wireless: Network enhanced in Lackawanna County

According to a statement released by Verizon on Thursday, Sept. 24,  the activation of a new cell site in Chinchilla will enable faster wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Mobile Web on their network  for Lackawanna County residents and visitors this fall.

The new site increases coverage and capacity throughout the Chinchilla area, as well as along Route 6, Interstate 81 and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

            "We've always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on," said Mario Turco, president of Verizon Wireless’ Philadelphia Tri-State Region. "Our 3G high-speed Mobile Broadband network is the largest and most reliable in the United States, and field tests are underway that will enable us to become the first wireless company to offer commercial LTE (Long Term Evolution)-based 4G service in the U.S., starting in 2010."

           The Verizon Wireless network also is built for reliability during emergencies, such as power outages and extreme weather conditions, with redundancy capabilities in place to maintain service for customers.

Verizon Wireless spent more than $119 million to enhance services and coverage across central, northeastern and southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware so far in 2009, bringing the network investment in the region to more than $1.2 billion since 2001, according to the statement released.       

            In the  second quarter of 2009,  the company reported a total of 87.7 million customers.

             Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and test women drive more than 90 specially-equipped vehicles nearly one million miles each year on the country's most frequently traveled roadways to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

For more information on the changes in Lackawanna County, visit www.verizonwireless.com.