LAUREL, Md., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Frederick County, Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with a new cell site. The new cell site provides increased wireless voice and 3G data coverage in Winchester, Va. in Izaak Walton Park and surrounding areas.

The increased coverage is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services. Last year alone, the company spent $274 million on regional network improvements, bringing total network investment in the region since 2000 to more than $2.3 billion.

"Even the most sophisticated wireless device is only as good as the network it runs on," said Mike Maiorana, Verizon Wireless Regional President. "Verizon Wireless continues to invest in our network and add capacity to stay ahead of growing demand and ensure our customers have an even better wireless experience tomorrow than they had today."

Verizon Wireless has the nation's largest and most reliable 3G broadband network with five times the coverage of other networks which makes advanced services like turn-by-turn navigation, over-the-air downloads of the latest applications, text/picture messaging, video and music downloads, web browsing and 3D gaming possible. Customer demand for these advanced services continues to grow.

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. Locally, test men and women traveled more than 18,747 miles of area roadways to test the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of competitors in the first half of 2010. Using sophisticated testing equipment, Verizon Wireless' local team of network technicians conducted 66,552 voice call attempts and 373,899 data tests on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of major competitors. Unmarked test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically conduct voice calls and data tests.

Results from this internal network quality assurance test program confirm that Verizon Wireless is the 3G network quality leader in the Virginia, Maryland and DC region, and correlate with other third-party network quality findings, including the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study(SM), Vol.1.

In addition to enhancing its 3G network, Verizon Wireless has also begun testing its 4G network which it plans to deploy in 2010 in 25 to 30 U.S. markets, covering 100 million people. Verizon Wireless' 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network will offer dramatically higher wireless speeds and reliability than even today's most advanced 3G network.

Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in MD/DC/VA by following @VZWPRDC on Twitter. For the latest network-related news, information and upgrades, follow VZWNetwork on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNetwork.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 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