ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The continuing rollout of 4G LTE wireless technology across Upstate New York highlighted a nearly $158 million network investment by industry leader [ Verizon Wireless ] in 2011 – the 11th consecutive year of $100+ million local investment. The company's network investment in the region now totals more than $1.4 billion since 2000.

"We know more people across Upstate New York depend on their Verizon Wireless smartphones, tablets, laptop modems and other wireless devices to stay connected, to be more productive, and for entertainment," said Russ Preite, president of the company's Upstate New York Region. "That's why we're always investing and working to ensure our network and wireless solutions are the very best."

In 2011, Verizon Wireless expanded its groundbreaking [ 4G LTE ] network in the Rochester area, part of the initial nationwide network rollout in 2010, and launched the service for the first time in the Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Ithaca, Utica/Rome, Poughkeepsie/Hudson Valley and Glens Falls areas. 4G LTE is now available to more than 60 percent of the Upstate New York population. In 2012, the company will continue to expand the 4G LTE network across the region.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is available in 195 major markets nationwide and covers more than 200 million people with the largest 4G network in the United States. The company's 4G LTE rollout is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2013.

In addition to rolling out 4G LTE technology across the region, the company's 2011 network investment also included expanded network coverage and additional capacity enhancements to stay ahead of growing demand on its voice and data networks.

The company also reacted quickly to deploy cells-on-light-trucks (COLTs) in the towns of Margaretville and Prattsville to provide critical communication capability for local residents, first responders and emergency response teams in the aftermath of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. COLTs are fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell sites that provide access to the company's voice and wireless broadband networks.

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 108.7 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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 ].

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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4G LTE Rollout in Upstate New York Leads Verizon Wireless $158 Million Network Investment in 2011

4G LTE Rollout in Upstate New York Leads Verizon Wireless $158 Million Network Investment in 2011

-- 11th consecutive year of $100+ million local investment - more than $1.4 billion invested in region since 2000-- 4G LTE now available in eight Upstate New York markets covering more than 60 percent of the region's population-- Network coverage and capacity enhancements continued region-wide

-- 11th consecutive year of $100+ million local investment - more than $1.4 billion invested in region since 2000

-- 4G LTE now available in eight Upstate New York markets covering more than 60 percent of the region's population

-- Network coverage and capacity enhancements continued region-wide