BINGHAMTON, N.Y., July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless recently activated new 4G LTE coverage in Binghamton and Port Crane, and in Tioga and Elkland, PA, further expanding coverage on the high-speed wireless data network the company launched locally in June.

4G LTE lets Verizon Wireless customers use their 4G LTE-enabled devices to surf the Web, post status updates and photos, share music, and download files at speeds up to 10 times faster than customers on 3G networks.

In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to use their 4G LTE smartphones, tablets, notebooks, laptop modems and mobile hotspots to experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

"We've always believed the best wireless devices deserve the best wireless network," said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless in Upstate New York. "People everywhere are increasingly relying on their tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained. Our investment here in Upstate New York and across the country has kept us ahead of this consumer trend and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices."

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.4 billion on its Upstate New York network since 2000, including more than $158 million in 2011, to increase coverage and capacity on behalf of its customers.

The company's 4G LTE network is currently available to two-thirds of the U.S. population in more than 300 markets nationwide.

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, 4G LTE devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, where available, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area, or when they travel to areas already covered by 4G LTE.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 93.0 million retail customers, including 88.0 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless