Published: September 30, 2008 10:11 pm         

Verizon announces new coverage areas

Verizon Wireless announced Tuesday that approximately $9 million has been invested this year to expand its services into the Beckley region, and beginning today, the company will add portions of Greenbrier, Raleigh and Summers counties to its coverage area in the state.

Its newest coverage area extends from White Sulphur Springs and follows Interstate 64 to Beckley and the West Virginia Turnpike from Pax into Mercer County, according to Verizon spokeswoman Sherri Cunningham. That signal joins with areas of Mercer County and Bland County, Va., which has had the Verizon voice and data network since October 2006. A Summers County additional network expansion is planned for later this year and into 2009, she said.

“The new technology will let Beckley-area Verizon Wireless customers make and receive calls on the nation’s most reliable network and take advantage of the company’s high-speed wireless Internet service, broadband access,” Cunningham said. “Broadband access service provides customers access to Internet, e-mail, everyday corporate data and more via their phones, PDAs or laptop computers. The company’s advanced network also lets customers get turn-by-turn GPS-based directions, download music over the air, stream videos, play 3-D games and more.”

Two new Verizon Wireless stores have been opened in Beckley, located at 119 Rural Acres Drive and Crossroads Mall, she said. Stores are also located in Bluefield, Lewisburg, Mercer Mall, Princeton, White Sulphur Springs and Tazewell, Va.

Part of the cell tower upgrade is the “monopine” tree located on the grounds of The Greenbrier. The 100-foot cell tower was disguised as an eastern white pine tree.

“We’re excited to bring Verizon Wireless’ branded service to even more of West Virginia,” regional president Mike Maiorana said. “Once residents and travelers try us out, we’re confident they’ll want to be on the nation’s most reliable wireless network.”

In conjunction with its expanded network, Verizon also announced it is launching a HopeLine phone recycling program with a $15,000 donation to Beckley’s Women’s Resource Center. The domestic violence center will receive 12 wireless phones, valued at $3,500 with prepaid airtime for emergency use, and an $11,500 grant.

— E-mail:

cgiggenbach@ register-herald.com