BEAVER SPRINGS, Pa., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local Snyder County residents in the Beaver Springs, Snyder County, Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with a new cell site. The new site increases coverage and capacity north of Beaver Springs and Troxelville, as well as south of Beaver Springs along Route 235. In addition, the coverage and capacity increases east of Beaver Springs and Beavertown and west of Beaver Springs along Route 522.

The network expansion is part of an aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year (more than $1 billion every 90 days) to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services. The company spent more than $190 million in 2007 to enhance services and coverage throughout southeastern, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, bringing the network investment in the region to more than $1 billion since 2000. Nationally, the company has invested more than $45 billion since it was formed -- $5.5 billion on average every year -- to offer customers the most reliable service available, including wireless data services such as picture messaging and text messaging.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the first quarter of 2008 as the company added 1.5 million net new customers. For the 14th consecutive quarter, Verizon Wireless also led the wireless industry in customer loyalty. The company posted a churn (customer turnover) rate of just 1.19 percent, well below the rate reported by the other major wireless carriers.

Verizon Wireless tests its network and those of its competitors to ensure the Verizon Wireless network remains the nation's most reliable. Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and women drive 98 specially equipped vehicles almost 1 million miles annually on interstate, U.S. and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts, to determine if voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. 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. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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 .