Best Network

Network Facts

 
 

Verizon Wireless built and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 67.2 million voice and data customers. Leveraging its greatest asset - its network - Verizon Wireless continues to lead the industry by offering the highest quality products and services while introducing innovative technology solutions.

Network Powered Services and Features

  • BroadbandAccess - Based on CDMA EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology
    • Verizon Wireless, the first to build a national wireless broadband network, launched BroadbandAccess in October 2003 and announced a national rollout in January 2004.
    • Offering wireless Internet connections at broadband-like speeds.
    • In February 2007, Verizon Wireless launched its next-generation high-speed wireless broadband network, based on CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology, in cities throughout the country, giving customers the ability to upload files eight to nine times faster than before, giving them faster access to e-mail, everyday corporate data, the Internet and more.
    • BroadbandAccess customers in enhanced broadband wireless coverage areas can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.  As of June 2007, Rev. A technology was available throughout the entire EV-DO network and at the end of the first quarter 2008, covered more than 240 million people.
  • V CAST - Also based on CDMA EV-DO technology, V CAST is the nation's first consumer wireless broadband multimedia service.
    • V CAST from Verizon Wireless brings high-quality video, 3D games and music straight to hot new phones.
    • Currently available in all markets where BroadbandAccess is offered.
  • V CAST Music - Launched in January 2006, V CAST Music runs on the Verizon Wireless broadband network.
    • V CAST Music is the world's most comprehensive mobile music service.
    • Customers can download music over the air directly to their wireless phones and to their Windows XP PCs, and can transfer new and existing digital music from the PC to their wireless phone.
    • V CAST Song ID, a Verizon Wireless exclusive, lets customers identify music playing on a radio or any music source, purchase and download the ringtone, ringback tone and full track.
    • V CAST Music lets customers immerse themselves in their favorite music with music videos, artist alerts, album art and more.
    • The V CAST Music Library includes more than 3.0 million songs from artists at major music labels and at independent providers.
  • NationalAccess- based on 1XRTT technology, provides wireless data services at speeds of 60-80 kbps.
  • Nationwide TXT Messaging - a two-way short messaging service
    • In Q1 2008, Verizon Wireless customers sent or received more than 58 billion text messages through its network.
  • Get It Now® service - Verizon Wireless was the first wireless service provider in the U.S. to offer downloadable applications over the air using BREW® (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless®) technology.
    • Between  January and March 2008, customers completed 4.6 million downloads of V CAST music and videos
  • Picture Messaging - an intuitive service, requiring just a few easy clicks to take and send a photo
    • Between January and March 2008, customers exchanged 1.1 billion picture and video messages over its nationwide network

Network Reliability

Verizon Wireless' network reliability is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures.

  • Redundancy
    The Verizon Wireless network is built for reliability in emergencies, with battery back-up power at all facilities and for additional reliability, generators installed at all switching facilities, and many cell site locations. The company also owns a fleet of portable generators that can be deployed to provide emergency power during extended power outages to those cell sites without permanent generators.
  • Rapid Disaster Response - COLTs
    Verizon Wireless "Cell on Light Trucks" (COLTs) can process thousands of calls every hour in the event cell sites or other key communications equipment are damaged or disabled by a community disaster. The 25,000- pound vehicle features two retractable masts, a microwave antenna to link network components, an emergency power generator and a small office. The COLT is also fully equipped with resources needed during emergencies including equipment, fuel, electrical generators, food, water and cots.
  • Portable Cell Sites - COWs Verizon Wireless "Cell on Wheels" (COW) are fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell sites that enhance coverage and capacity in a given area. It can accommodate both voice and CDMA data services.
  • 24/7 Network Operations Centers
    Verizon Wireless has two network operations centers located in New Jersey and Texas, to monitor all cell sites and switches across its nationwide network.

Network Quality Testing

Verizon Wireless dedicates a team of technical professionals, real life "test men and women" across the country, to monitor and test the network every day to ensure efficient operation.

  • Quality testing teams drive approximately 90 specially equipped vehicles almost 1,000,000 miles annually on Interstate, US and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high-population areas, based upon US Census counts, to test network performance, call quality, and data network performance on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of up to seven other wireless carriers.
  • Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on our network and the networks of other carriers.
  • Every handset model used on the Verizon Wireless network goes through rigorous laboratory and field testing, conducted by its own handset lab engineers, to ensure the device delivers reliable wireless service at peak performance levels.
  • The voice network reliability test results have consistently shown that the rate of ineffective attempts for the Verizon Wireless national network, in major metropolitan centers and some remote areas, is lower than any other national carrier. The test results also indicate that voice calls that connect on the Verizon Wireless network are more likely to stay connected for the duration of the call. Read examples of our regional reliability studies.  Similarly, the data network reliability test results establish that Verizon Wireless has the nation's most reliable wireless broadband network, allowing Verizon Wireless to set up data sessions and complete large file downloads and uploads at a greater rate of success than its national competitors.
  • We use the results of our frequent network tests to maintain and fine-tune our network on a regular basis as part of our ongoing quality maintenance programs. We have invested more than $45 billion to build and maintain the Verizon Wireless network nationwide since the company was first formed in 2000. Teams of engineers go out to cell sites on a regular basis to adjust and maintain cell site equipment to ensure optimum performance and the best service for our customers.

Network Leadership

  • 67.2 million customers
  • 175+ switching facilities
  • Network reaches more than 265 million Americans
  • Verizon Wireless has invested more than $45 billion since it was formed -- $5.5 billion on average every year -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

Copyright April 2008