Device Arena

Verizon Wireless has activated four new cell sites in the Rapid City area that expand network coverage and increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; and download games and ringtones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The following is a breakdown of the new coverage:

• The new cell site located southwest of Rapid City on U.S. Highway 16 just north of Sitting Bull Road improves coverage along a nine mile stretch of U.S. Highway 16.
• The new cell site located near State Highway 44 (Jackson Boulevard) and Chapel Lane improves coverage south on Chapel Lane 1.5 miles, west on Jackson Boulevard 1.5 miles and east on Jackson Boulevard one mile.
• The new cell site located near East St. Joseph Street and East Boulevard North improves capacity in downtown Rapid City.
• The new cell site located on State Highway 79 near Black Gap Road provides increased capacity and coverage along State Highway 79 north and south 1.5 miles and in the Black Gap neighborhood.

“These network enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless,” said Nancy B. Clark, president–Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless.

Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry, as measured by the company’s low percent of customer turnover.

“The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our industry-leading customer retention,” Clark said. “Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation’s most reliable network.”

These new cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in South Dakota and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $44 billion since it was formed — more than $5.5 billion on average every year — to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. In 2007, $28.6 million of this investment was spent in South Dakota for network enhancements.

Verizon