Verizon Fire Up 16 New New York 3G Sites Ahead Of iPhone 4 Release

Verizon Wireless has announced it is switching on sixteen new 3G cell sites in the New York Metro region, as part of its commitment "to holding our position as the most reliable 3G network in the nation." The news comes just a day after the carrier announced it would be offering a CDMA/EVDO Rev.A version of the iPhone 4, which would use the 3G network rather than the newer 4G LTE network.

It's hard not to see the news as connected with the Verizon iPhone 4 launch, with the carrier obviously wanting to ensure that it has sufficient network capacity to accomodate a rush of new users. The strength of its network was a constant refrain at yesterday's launch event; it will also go some way to making up for the limitations of CDMA in their inability to maintain simultaneous calls and data connections.

There's a full list of the new cell sites in the press release below.

Press Release:

Verizon Wireless Strengthens Industry-Leading 3G Network in the New York Metro Area With Sixteen New Cell Sites

Enhanced cell sites keep residents connected to email, music & mobile Web

Verizon Wireless continues to set the pace for 3G network while simultaneously rolling out and maintaining robust 4G network

Company strives to offer customers best network options to suit their needs

WARREN, N.J., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless, provider of the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network, today announced the activation of sixteen new cell sites in the New York Metro Region. The company turned on five new cell sites in both Rockland and Suffolk Counties, three in Westchester County, and additional cell sites in Nassau, New York and Putnam Counties. Wireless calling, text messaging and mobile Web surfing on the company's award-winning 3G network are now easier and faster for residents and visitors in these communities.

"While establishing our recently-launched 4G LTE network is something we take very seriously, it is important for our customers to know that we are also committed to holding our position as the most reliable 3G network in the nation," said Pat Devlin, New York Metro region president for Verizon Wireless. "As it stands now, the 3G network is what most of our customers are using now. While many will eventually cross over to 4G for business applications and heavier data usage, a good percentage will find that our 3G network will continue to suit their needs very well for the foreseeable future."

The expanded coverage and increased data capacity enables customers in these areas to enjoy better reception, fewer dropped calls and faster download speeds when using their wireless devices to talk, text, email, view high-quality videos and access VZ Navigator's turn-by-turn directions. Additionally, these network enhancements further boost Verizon Wireless' network reliability, particularly during emergencies such as power outages and extreme weather conditions when wireless communications are needed the most. These new cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company's voice and data services.

Nationally, one hundred real-life Verizon Wireless test men and women drive more than 90 specially-equipped vehicles nearly one million miles each year on the country's most frequently traveled roadways to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

The new cell sites and their coverage areas include:

Monsey, NY (Rockland County)

Spring Valley, NY (Rockland County)

Suffern, NY (Rockland County)

Suffern Park, NY (Rockland County)

Palisades, NY (Rockland County)

East Islip, NY (Suffolk County)

Blue Point, NY (Suffolk County)

Medford, NY (Suffolk County)

Wading River, NY (Suffolk County)

Village of The Branch, NY (Suffolk County)

Bronxville, NY (Westchester County)

Yonkers, NY (Westchester County)

Croton on Hudson, NY (Westchester County)

Merrick, NY (Nassau County)

New York City (New York County)

and West Paterson, NY (Putnam County)