Verizon's Wireless Network Shares #1 Rank for Overall Performance in Connecticut by RootMetrics(R)

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Verizon customers in Connecticut are enjoying all of the benefits of America’s most reliable network, according to the Connecticut RootScore® Report, conducted by Seattle-based RootMetrics. Additionally, this marks the fourth consecutive time Verizon’s wireless network has been acknowledged as the leader in overall performance among national wireless service providers in the U.S.

Scores are based on RootMetrics testing performed from January through June 2015. The company evaluated all four U.S. wireless providers in six network performance categories: overall, reliability, speed, data, call, and text performance.

The results are in, and Verizon tied the Overall RootScore award in the state of Connecticut, scoring 96.0, and also was ranked first or tied for first in: reliability and call network performance.

RootMetrics uses scientific methods to conduct their rigorous testing regimen, based on where people actually use their mobile devices. Using off-the-shelf, unaltered smartphones, RootMetrics staff drove over 3,500 miles and included more than 100 indoor locations to measure and analyze key performance indicators which provide an unbiased characterization of network attributes in the state of Connecticut.

“We’re proud to receive this independent validation of Verizon Wireless’ network leadership in Connecticut and across New England,” commented Dave MacBeth, Executive Director of Network for Verizon Wireless. “We’ve reinvested over $4 billion into our wireless networks across New England since 2000, including $172 million in enhancements during the first half of 2015. It’s our culture of ‘continuous improvement’ that drives us to innovate and deploy new technologies in support of our customers who rely on their devices, apps and accessories every day.”

This year Verizon has enhanced its network across New England by adding cell sites and deploying new technologies such as small cells and distributed antenna systems. In addition to network enhancements previously announced in April, Verizon Wireless most recently added new coverage in the following communities:

· Hamden, along Route 5 (State Street), Olds Street, Side Hill Road, and Vineyard Road

· Hartford, at the XFINITY Theater

· East Haven, along Routes 142 and 337

· Hebron, at the Hebron Fairgrounds and along Route 85

· Milford, in the vicinity of Robinson Boulevard and along Interstate 95

· New Haven, along Blatchley Avenue, Chapel Street, Ferry Street, Poplar Street, and River Street in Fair Haven

· Norwalk, at Oak Hills Park Golf Course, along Grand Street, North Taylor Avenue, Stuart Avenue, Route 7 and Route 15, and at the intersection of East Avenue and Interstate 95

· Shelton, in the business park along Bridgeport Avenue

· Simsbury, along Firetown Road and Hoskins Road

· Southington, the shopping plaza in the vicinity of Executive Boulevard, Route 229 and Interstate 84

· South Windsor, in the vicinity of Sullivan Avenue, Buckland Hills Drive and Buckland Hills Mall

· Stratford, along Route 113, Route 130 and Interstate 95

· Waterbury, at Route 69 and Interstate 84

· West Hartford, to the southeast of West Hartford Center, along Oakwood Avenue, Park Road and Quaker Lane

In addition the company has augmented existing XLTE coverage in dozens of Connecticut communities. XLTE uses Verizon’s AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum to double 4G LTE bandwidth in cities coast to coast, with faster peak speeds and greater capacity than before. This means that more wireless interactions can occur with more people in the same location, so more customers can send photos, download videos, surf the internet, and use real-time navigation throughout the following 41 Connecticut communities, all due to recent XLTE enhancements:

· Fairfield County: Monroe, Plattsville, Stamford, Trumbull, Westport

· Hartford County: East Windsor, Enfield, Hartford (along Burnham Street), Marlborough, New Britain, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Suffield, Windsor

· Middlesex County: Clinton, Cromwell, Haddam, Middletown

· New Haven County: Branford, Cheshire, Madison, Southbury, West Haven

· New London County: Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Groton, Lisbon, Old Lyme

· Talcott Mountain State Park / Talcott Mountain

· Tolland County: Coventry, Mansfield, Somers, Tolland, Willington

· Windham County: Canterbury, Danielson, Plainfield

While Verizon took the honors in Connecticut, it also outranked the competition nationally with the most wins or ties in five state categories:

• 47 states for Overall Performance (vs. 12 wins/ties for the nearest competitor)
• 44 states for Network Reliability (vs. 15 wins/ties for the nearest competitor)
• 44 states for Network Speed (vs. 7 wins/ties for the nearest competitor)
• 46 states for Data Performance (vs. 6 wins/ties for the nearest competitor)
• 45 states for Call Performance (vs. 19 wins/ties for the nearest competitor)