Published: March 31, 2008 10:01 am      

Verizon boosts local cellular service

Provider expands network coverage, capacity

DANVILLE — Local Verizon Wireless customers won’t be asking “Can you hear me now?” in some spots of Danville anymore, thanks to improvements made by the cellular phone company.

Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site in Danville that expands network coverage and increases network capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls.

Verizon customers will be able to send and receive e-mail and text, as well as picture and video messages. They also will be able to download games and ringtones while experiencing clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

This new cell site improves Verizon Wireless’ voice and data network in downtown Danville and north to Winter Avenue, south to Main Street, west to Logan Avenue and east to Michigan Avenue.

Jonathan Mott, store manager at Bud’s Car Stereo and Cellular’s south location on Jackson Street, an authorized Verizon Wireless agent, said dead spots with cell phone service in Danville had been a problem in the past.

“I think it had been a problem a while ago,” he said. “But it’s gotten better in the past few months.

“There were dead spots to the north,” Mott said. “There was a gap around the Custard Cup and up around Wal-Mart.”

Verizon Wireless said the new cell site in Danville has fixed those problem areas.

“This network enhancement reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless,” said T.J. Fox, president of the Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless.

The new Danville cell site is part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Illinois and throughout the country.

Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1 billion on improvements to its network in Illinois to increase coverage and capacity and to add new services. More than $155 million of this investment was spent in 2007.