Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless provider, invested more than $9 million in its wireless network in 2003 in Hawai‘i.
While specific dollar figures for infrastructure development or upgrading on Kaua‘i weren’t available, a company spokesperson does expect business to remain strong on the island this year.
“Last year, we doubled our retail space at the Kukui Grove shopping center, and we are in the process of expanding the number of our employees at that retail location,” said Georgia Taylor, Verizon Hawai‘i media relations officer.
“We remain committed to providing the residents of Kaua‘i reliable and quality wireless service.”
The Hawai‘i 2003 capital expenditure was part of Verizon Wireless’ aggressive, national network-enhancement program, investing $4 billion a year for the last three years.
In 2002, the company invested $15 million in the state.
Taylor stated that a great portion of the investments will go toward network upgrades delivering new services, including picture messaging, national push-to-talk service, and high-speed wireless data service throughout the country.
The enhancements also increased network coverage and call capacity to meet increasing demand for wireless service here on Kaua‘i, she said.
In Hawai‘i, the enhancements expanded the company’s coverage by 5 percent, and increased call capacity by more than 40 percent, enabling the network to handle even more simultaneous voice and data calls.
Network usage in Hawai‘i increased more than 40 percent in 2003 over 2002.
“In Hawai‘i, we continue to work to build upon our industry-leading reputation for network reliability and quality,” said Mark Yamauchi, Hawai‘i director of sales for Verizon Wireless.
“Now that consumers can switch wireless providers and keep their phone numbers, this investment gives them one more reason to get on and stay on the largest and most reliable network in the country,” Yamauchi said.
Verizon Wireless also introduced a number of new services in 2003, including picture messaging, which lets customers snap a picture with their camera phone and send it to another Verizon Wireless customer, any e-mail address, or to a virtual photo album online.
According to Taylor, customers can use the service on their own terms, subscribe to a bundle of picture messages, or snap and send on a pay-as-they-go basis.
Broadband access service, which company officials recently announced, will be rolled out nationwide over the next two years.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net.
