Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless L.L.C. both announced network expansions. Verizon Wireless will provide customers with additional coverage in the Northeast, while Cingular customers will see additional coverage in North Texas and Alabama.
Verizon Wireless said its expansion reached into York County, Maine, where the carrier has built and activated more than a dozen new cell sites and plans to add more this summer. The expanded coverage includes Route 1 and Interstate-95 and includes Main’s coastline in York County beginning in Elliot, with additional coverage expected along Route 236, Route 9 into Wells and Kennebunk and Route 111 into Biddeford and Saco.
“A wireless phone is only as good as the network it’s on, and we’re pleased to provide enhancements in York County,” explained Bob Stott, president of Verizon Wireless’ New England Region.
The expansion was part of the carrier’s $750 million acquisition of new spectrum from Northcoast Communications L.L.C. in late 2002.
Cingular’s expansion includes the southeastern Alabama communities of Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark and Troy where the carrier said it now provides GSM service. Plans for a $98 million expansion for North Texas include adding new cell sites throughout the year on top of the $168 million the carrier said it spent on deploying GSM/GPRS services in the area last year.
“Now that the transition to an advanced voice and data network is complete, we are focusing our resources on increasing coverage, particularly in residential areas and in-building locations throughout the region,” said Steve Schoonmaker, vice president and general manager for Cingular.
