Wireless carrier Verizon announced recently new investments in the St. Lawrence County through the expansion of its 3G network in the area. According to the operator, it has deployed a new cell site in Stockholm, which should deliver better coverage and network capacity in Southville and Stockholm, and in portions of Route 11B between Potsdam and Hopkinton. In addition, a newly deployed site in Lisbon provides improved coverage and capacity in Flackville, including portions of Route 68 between Ogdensburg and Canton.

The mobile phone carrier also announced that the new network expansion was part of its larger plan to improve its nationwide network so as to meet the ever-growing demand for Verizon Wireless’ voice and data services. The total amount of investments the carrier plans to make in Upstate New York in 2009 rise to more than $100 million, Verizon also added.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. We continue to aggressively invest in our Upstate New York network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services, and maintain our 3G network leadership” said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region.

The new enhancements should offer users the possibility to enjoy better services from the carrier, including picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, and MobileBroadband, its high-speed wireless broadband network. Customers should benefit from average download speeds ranging from 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second, while the average upload speeds are between 500 and 800 kbps. The growing demand for Verizon's services is showed by the addition of 1.2 million net new customers in Q3 2009.

“The company’s 'nation’s most reliable wireless network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country. These engineers drive more than 90 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers,” Verizon also added.