T-Mobile Wants to “Decimate” Verizon’s Tower Map Campaign

We’ve all seen the advertisements where Verizon shows the map of their coverage compared to AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The map is supposed to illustrate the number of towers Verizon has equipment on, proving they have the best, most-reliable coverage in the nation. This map makes T-Mobile angry. “I want to decimate that ad campaign from Verizon,” T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray said to CNET in an interview Thursday. The company is taking legal action against Verizon, claiming that the campaign doesn’t accurately reflect T-Mobile’s network. Verizon’s coverage map only shows LTE capabilities of the company. Since Verizon and AT&T are almost complete with their rollouts, they have the advantage over Sprint and T-Mobile. “We prefer to compete in the marketplace, not in the courts. Our customers know what a true nationwide 4G LTE network experience feels like, map or not,” said a Verizon representative. But Ray argues that the map suggests that those few T-Mobile dots on the map represent all of the carrier’s coverage, and excludes its 2G Edge network, as well as its HSPA+ coverage, which T-Mobile considers 4G. (Source: CNET) T-Mobile has a goal to cover 250 million people by the end of the year, but Ray said he wants to push it to 280 million sometime next year.

Verizon Communications to Report Earnings Tomorrow

Tomorrow, October 17th, Verizon Communications will report their third-quarter earnings. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Francis J. Shammo will present results on a webcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Access instructions and presentation materials, including Verizon's earnings release, will be available at7:30 a.m. on Verizon's Investor Relations website, www.verizon.com/investor.

Verizon Communications is the world leader in delivering innovation in communications, mobility, information and entertainment. We provide superior broadband, video and other wireless and wireline services to consumers, businesses, governments and wholesale customers across the globe.

Verizon Cell Phone Service Delayed in Port Henry

The cell phone tower that Verizon constructed in Port Henry, New York that was scheduled to be online last month is still inactive. A lot of people are wondering why the tower isn’t online yet. Even though the tower is completed, the fiber optic lines to the tower are not in place yet. Verizon is hoping to have this tower activated during the month of October. Once this tower is active, residents in the Port Henry area will have a choice between AT&T and Verizon, whereas before AT&T was the main carrier.

Besides improved calling and consumer options, the Verizon tower is also helping out town and village taxpayers. Verizon is paying $900 a month — $450 to the town of Moriah and $450 to the village of Port Henry — for five years to lease the jointly-owned town-village property. The rent will increase 3 percent each year of the contract. (Source: Denton Publications)

Text to 911 Now Available in Southampton County

For Verizon customers in Southampton County, Virginia the option to text 911 in an emergency is now an available option if you are in close range of the Southampton County cell phone tower. Text to 911 is becoming a popular feature for those residents who are hearing or speech impaired or anyone who finds themselves in a situation where it is too dangerous to speak to the 911 operator.

“The safety of residents and visitors in Southampton County is our number-one concern,” said Southampton County Sheriff Jack Stutts said in a release. “Text to 911 could be a life-saver, especially for people who might otherwise not be able to make a voice call. I congratulate my staff members for their work in establishing this service and for setting an example for other public safety professionals.” (Source: Tide Water News)

Southampton County is the second public safety answering point in Virginia to accept Text-to-911. “Public safety is a top priority. We assist public safety organizations in their efforts to get residents the help they need in emergencies.  We do this by providing enhanced location information to emergency call takers so they can more effectively route calls for emergency assistance,” Verizon explains.

Text to 911 is not available everywhere, but the major wireless carriers are hoping to expand this program in order to assist as many people as possible and increase public safety. 

Verizon CEO to Speak at Goldman Sachs Conference on September 24th

Lowell McAdam, chairman and chief executive officer of Verizon Communications Inc. will speak at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference on Tuesday, Sept. 24.  His remarks will be webcast beginning at approximately 9:40 a.m. Eastern time.  Access instructions will be available on Verizon's Investor Relations Web site,www.verizon.com/investor.

“Communacopia is really about convergence across telecommunications, media, cable companies and internet,” said Jason S. Armstrong, Deputy Business Unit Leader Technology, Media and Telecommunications Research Group.

Boulder Creek Residents Don’t Approve of Disguised Cell Phone Tower

In an attempt to appease residents in many towns companies began proposing to disguise cell phone towers as everyday objects like trees, flag poles, crosses, or clock towers. However, this tactic doesn’t always please the members of the community. This is true of the members of Boulder Creek, California who are opposed to the 50-foot cell phone tower that Verizon has proposed to build downtown.

“They say [the tower] is going to blend into the trees. These monopines are bluish in their needle color, so when they are placed right in front of [real] trees they’re actually going stand out more because they’re going to appear a different color,” says resident Rachel Wooster. (Source: SantaCruz.com)

There will be a hearing on September 20^th to determine whether or not Verizon can construct their tower in the planned site. If the County Zoning Administrator approves the tower at this meeting then residents will still be able to appeal the decision to the Planning Commissions, and then to the County Board of Supervisors who have the final say in the matter.

Verizon Wireless Activates DAS in Empire State Plaza

Verizon Wireless has activated a distributed antenna system (DAS) in Albany, New York’s Empire State Plaza. “Consistent wireless coverage has been difficult to provide throughout the Empire State Plaza due to the fact that many areas of the Plaza are located underground. The DAS system uses a network of smaller antennae positioned throughout the Plaza. In addition to voice service, the DAS system provides 4G LTE service inside the Plaza,” according to Verizon Wireless.

The DAS is a network of spatially separated antennas that connect to a common source and help provide wireless service within a specific area. In the coming weeks and months, coverage will be expanded into the health labs, the Capitol Building, the Plaza catacombs, and several other buildings in the Plaza complex.

Verizon Cell Service Has Been Restored in Most of Colorado Flood-Ravaged Areas

When cell sites became inaccessible due to the flooding and washed out roadways in Colorado, Verizon Wireless worked overtime to restore cell phone service. They have placed a temporary cell site on wheels (COW) in Lyons, Colorado until the permanent cell sites can be repaired.

“Verizon crews used a helicopter to reach flood damaged facilities in Estes Park to fully restore service by Saturday evening.  Microwave transmission facilities were installed to carry voice and data traffic from area cell sites to the company's switching center, bypassing miles of damaged fiber lines,” according to Verizon’s press release.

Verizon Wireless service status by community as of Sunday morning:

• Estes Park – Equipment and crews airlifted in; full service restored
• Lyons – Temporary cell site activated; full service restoral pending
• Boulder – Two sites previously lost commercial power; full service restored
• Longmont -- No cell sites out of service
• Greeley and Fort Collins – No cell sites out of service
• Thayne, WY – Full service restored

Verizon Wireless Expands 4G LTE Network in Chautauqua County

Verizon Wireless recently activated a new 4G LTE cell site in the town of Sherman, New York. Verizon has been working to expand their 4G LTE network coverage and bring this technology to new cities across the nation. This new site will enhance 4G LTE data service and 3G voice service between the towns of Sherman and Mina, and along I-86.

The Verizon 4G LTE network is now available to nearly 301 million people in more than 500 markets across the U.S., representing more than 99 percent of our 3G network. The company has activated more than 400 4G LTE sites across Upstate New York in 2013 and now has more than 1,100 4G LTE sites on the air in the region. 

Verizon Expands 100G Technology on U.S. and European Networks

Like most cellular companies, Verizon is working to expand their cellular and bandwidth networks in order to keep up with demand. This is why Verizon has expanded 100G technology on its ultra-long-haul network in the U.S. and Europe, adding the technology to more than 4,800 miles of its global IP network during the first half of 2013.  

This expansion includes almost 4,500 miles on the Verizon U.S. network, which will bring the number up to a total of approximately 21,400 miles. Among the new 100G routes are Seattle to Salt Lake City, Indianapolis to St. Louis, St. Louis to Memphis, Charlotte to Nashville and Cleveland to Detroit.

"Not only does Verizon have one of the largest global networks, we have one of the most robust and sophisticated networks with 100G technology deployed on multiple routes in the U.S. and Europe," said Kyle Malady, senior vice president of global network operations and engineering. "As long as our bandwidth demand grows, we'll continue deploying high bit-rate technology that underlies the superior experience that our business and consumer customers expect."

The reason these companies are expanding their bandwidth network is to stay ahead of cloud services and 4G LTE mobile technology. The 100G technology provides the necessary level of performance combined with the flexibility to meet traffic type demand and enterprise customer requirements.

150 Feet of Wire Stolen From Ohio Cell Tower

This week in Athens, Ohio 150 feet of wire was stolen from a Verizon Wireless Cell Tower. Verizon reported that the wires on the ground outside of the control office were also cut. The copper wire was also removed from the tower after the thief climbed the tower and unbolted it. Thankfully, cell phone service was not interrupted because of the theft. The cell site had last been visited on August 19^th.   

Verizon Communications Declares Quarterly Dividend

Today the Board of Directors of Verizon Communications Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 53 cents per outstanding share. This is an increase of 1.5 cents per share of a 2.9 percent increase from the previous quarter.

According to Verizon Communications, “The quarterly dividend is payable on Nov. 1, 2013, to Verizon Communications shareowners of record at the close of business on Oct. 10, 2013. This is the seventh consecutive year that Verizon's Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend increase.”

Verizon has approximately 2.7 million shareowners and approximately 2.9 billion shares of common stock outstanding.  The company made $2.9 billion in dividend payments through the first half of 2013.

Cell Tower To Be Disguised As A Water Tank in California

The residents near Bodega Avenue, California are excited to hear that a 60-foot cell phone tower will be going up in order to improve cell phone service in that area. This Verizon cell tower is going to be disguised as a water tower so that it blends in with the town’s aesthetics.

“That lot is zoned for commercial, but I don’t want to see a bunch of development go in there,” said Dave Tarca, who owns the property where the tower is being built. “I’ve had offers from San Francisco developers — outsiders who wanted to put strip malls in there. But I have no interest in that. I feel it would just ruin the aesthetics of the area. But a cell tower helps reception for the area’s increasing traffic and the water tower design makes it fit in with the look of the area. It’s a way to keep that site the way it is.” (Source: Petaluma 360)

Even though most of the shop owners are excited for this upgrade in cell phone services, not all of the residents are as thrilled.

“I just bought my home two years ago,” said next-door neighbor Steve Allen, whose property lies just west of the tower. “I have Verizon and I know my service will be better — I admit that it’s awful now — but I’m not thrilled about living right next to this thing. I feel it will decrease the value of my property.” (Source: Petaluma 360)

Alamosa County Welcomes Verizon Tower with Open Arms

While often time’s members of communities are upset over the possibility of a cell tower, the residents of Alamosa County, Colorado couldn’t be more pleased about Verizon’s plan to bring six new cell phone towers to the Valley. The first location was approved this past Wednesday for Highway 160.

The communications provider intends to install the six towers to fill the cell phone service void in eastern Alamosa County and northwest Costilla County, placing three towers in each, said Verizon representative Kelly Harrison, Closser Consulting during the ACC’s regular meeting. (Source: Valley Courier)

These new towers will enable Verizon’s 4G LTE data capabilities and provide the nearby emergency responder with more defined information from 911 calls. The FCC estimated that about 70% of 911 calls are placed from a cell phone and that number is only growing.

“While the location of the cell site closest to the 911 caller may provide a general indication of the caller’s location, that information is not usually specific enough for rescue personnel to deliver assistance to the caller quickly,” the FCC explains.

The 4G LTE data is able provide more detailed information to emergency responders, which will help when someone dials 911 from a cell phone. However, when calling 911 from a cell phone make sure to give your address first so the responders will be able to locate you quickly.

Georgetown University to Install Verizon Cell Tower on Leavy Center Roof

Going to a major university where there are no cell phone towers actually on or close by the school grounds can be frustrating: one minute you’re talking to a friend about meeting for lunch and the next you don’t have cell reception. The students at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. know how that feels especially in Burleith and Darnall Hall. However, come next summer this won’t be a problem anymore. Verizon Wireless is installing a cell phone tower on the roof or Leavy Center.

“Verizon Wireless is working with Georgetown University to expand our 4G LTE network coverage on campus to provide students, faculty, medical center staff and patients, as well as the greater Georgetown community, with the best possible wireless coverage,” Verizon spokesperson Melanie Ortel wrote in an email to The Hoya, Georgetown’s university newspaper.

This tower will increase the cell phone reception for Verizon customers, who have the poorest cell phone connection on campus. Verizon will pay the university $22,00 and cover all the construction costs of the tower. 

Verizon Wireless Boosts Cell Capacity For Labor Day Weekend

Last Labor Day weekend, Verizon Wireless’ network was unable to handle the amount of voice calls, texts, and video traffic during the weekend’s concerts. This year, Verizon took steps in order to avoid this problem. They boosted cell capacity by more than 20% for the 2013 Made in America event on the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be nearly 30 acts performing across three stages on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the two-day music festival. This year’s lineup is incredible, with highly-anticipated performances from Beyoncé, Nine Inch Nails, Public Enemy, Emilee Sandé, Solange and more.

"The wireless company added a fifth permanent cell site in the Parkway area and will park a temporary cell tower in a truck with a diesel generator nearby. The temporary cell tower is expected to be operational Thursday and its location has been approved by the city,” according to Philly.com.

Madison County Cell Tower Complete And Available To Rent

Now that the Madison County E-911 Communications Center completed their $23 million communication upgrades, their new cell tower has space to lease. The city’s goal is to improve the wireless Internet and cellular services.

Ned Campbell of the Utica Observer-Dispatch reported that, “For those companies, renting tower space costs much less than building a new one and allows them to avoid going through local zoning and planning boards at a time when municipalities are trying to keep new towers at a minimum.”

The county is currently reviewing a lease with Verizon Wireless, who is looking to lease space on one of the new towers in the area.

North Carolina Employs Tracking Technology To Keep Students Safe

When you send your child off to school, it can be nerve-wracking especially those first few weeks when school is back in session. In school districts across North Carolina, a new wireless technology is being used to provide real time information about the school buses: their location, their speed, and whether or not they stop at railroad crossings.

This technology, powered by Synovia, uses Cellular Vehicle Tacking, which is when a tracking method uses the cellular network infrastructure to determine the location of the transmitter. Synovia partners with wireless companies to provide this service to schools, law enforcement, and even commercial companies.

This wireless technology is giving parents the peace of mind that their children have arrived safely to and from school. North Carolina school districts are using Synovia technology on Verizon's network to provide safe and efficient student transportation this school year.

"Parents entrust us each day with the safety of their children, and this solution aids in our ability to manage a fleet of 300 school buses on a daily basis with advanced monitoring capabilities," said Scott Denton, transportation director for Durham Public Schools. "I now feel as if I'm riding alongside each of our drivers— morning and afternoon."

Verizon Uses Solar-Powered Network Equipment for Firefighters Battling California’s Largest Wildfire

 

On August 20^th, Verizon Wireless responded to a request from local authorities in Walnut Creek, California to provide additional network coverage to support the emergency personnel battling the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park.

“Boosting coverage and capacity to existing cell sites in the area also enhances wireless coverage so that emergency response teams and other Verizon Wireless customers can make more calls and send more data transmissions faster,” Verizon said in a press release.

Verizon also provided wireless phones and mobile broadband Jetpacks to the fire command crews to enhance voice and data communications. In2012, Verizon Wireles invested $641 million in California to provide new wireless services, expanding network coverage and capacity for customers across the state.

As of Sunday evening, the fire had burned 224 square miles and it remained only 7 percent contained. There are approximately 2,850 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, California Fire and many local agencies battling California’s largest wildfire this past weekend. 

Des Moines Church Wants Verizon To Put Up Cell Tower Disguised As A Cross

First Presbyterian Church of Des Moines wants to obtain a permit to allow Verizon Wireless to construct a 120-foot communications tower that will be disguised as a cross. The church applied to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a conditional use permit for the tower.

Emily Schettler of the Des Moines Register reported that, “The permit is necessary because the church property is only 6.88 acres and the city requires a 10-acre lot for a communication tower. The board meets at 1 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.”