The investment included 35 new cell sites, upgrading equipment on more than 400 existing cell sites to increase coverage and capacity of the company’s voice and 3G high-speed wireless network, and prepping the backbone of the network for deploying 4G LTE across the state.
“Our company is focused on building a reliable 4G network both here in Indiana and nationwide, but we also remain committed to improving our 3G network which millions of customers rely on daily,” said John Granby, president of the Indiana/Kentucky/Michigan region at Verizon Wireless. “Customers may use their wireless devices in different ways, but they all have one need in common – a reliable network.”
Granby said the strategic investment will help cities like Indianapolis be prepared for the Super Bowl in 2012, when more than 73,000 ticket holders will pack into Lucas Oil Stadium and visitors will blanket downtown Indianapolis landmarks, hotels and restaurants.
Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.15 billion on improvements to its network in Indiana, including the following upgrades made in 2010:
• Thirty-five new cell sites were activated enabling more customers to use their phones for social networking, Internet browsing, downloading apps and music, exchanging e-mail and text, picture and video messages, watching high-quality videos and making calls.
• Equipment was installed at more than 400 cell sites across Indiana to boost capacity of the company’s advanced 3G high-speed wireless network and improve speed and performance.
• New equipment was installed across the network in preparation of deploying 4G LTE, which will increase bandwidth to handle more data traffic.
• Permanent backup generators were installed at 26 cell sites to ensure the network remains reliable during times of crisis.
• Temporary cell sites were deployed at high-profile events during the year that draw large crowds, including Indianapolis Colts home games and the men’s college basketball finals at Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as racing events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway such as the Brickyard 400, Indianapolis 500 and U.S. MotoGP.
