Verizon Makes 3G Boosts in California, Preps 4G Deployments

Mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless announced recently that it made significant enhancements to its 3G network in California, and that it invested around $485 million in its airwaves in the area during 2009. According to the company, the enhancements it brought to the 3G network in the area are expected to result in high-quality services offered to its customers, including voice and data connectivity.

The carrier also notes that the enhancements brought to the network range from the deployment of a series of new cell sites in the area, to updating and adding capacity to other sites. The improvements included “added backup power facilities to improve network reliability in the event of commercial power outages,” the carrier notes.

Among the new sites Verizon deployed in California in 2009, we can count some in popular destinations like 241/261/133 toll roads in Orange County; California Academy of Science in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park; Dodger Stadium; Heavenly and Northstar ski resorts near Lake Tahoe; Lake Arrowhead; Sequoia National Park; U.C. Berkeley and Stanford University campuses; Thunder Hill Raceway in Sacramento; Whittier College and more.

“Our customers are texting, e-mailing, downloading music, visiting Web sites and sharing pictures and videos at a record pace. Because of this, we continue to aggressively invest in our network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services and maintain our 3G network superiority,” said Kevin Zavaglia, region president, Verizon Wireless.

In addition to planning further investments in its 3G network around the country, Verizon Wireless also notes that it is set to launch its 4G network during the ongoing year, and that it will be based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. The carrier plans on rolling-out the new LTE wireless network in 25 to 30 markets in 2010, while also aiming at covering almost its entire 3G footprint with the next-generation airwaves by the end of 2013.