Verizon Wireless boosting suburban network

Verizon Wireless, which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, said it's boosting its network around the suburbs and the state to provide faster service to subscribers.

So far this year, the wireless provider has activated 96 new cell sites statewide, including 11 in Gilberts, Aurora, West Chicago, Batavia, Barrington Hills and elsewhere,

The cells help expand network coverage and increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones for calls, e-mail and text messages, picture and video messages. It also will boost access to the Internet, view high-quality videos, and download music and games, said Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Carolyn Schamberger.

"Our investment here is reflective of the fact that this market is ultra competitive and the bar is set very high in terms of customer's expectations," said Schamberger.

Verizon Wireless is spending roughly $150 million on the upgrades, about what it spent last year, she said.

"Our investment is also based on several factors including number of customers, anticipated subscriber growth, anticipated increase of traffic on our network, including the incredible growth of wireless data services, such as mobile broadband," Schamberger said.

The company also will install permanent generators with batteries at the new cell sites, so customers can continue to communicate during power outages, tornadoes, flooding or other disasters.

The upgrades also provide the underlying infrastructure that will enable it to offer the next generation in mobile phone technology.

"Across the nation, we are currently preparing the underlying infrastructure that will enable Verizon Wireless to become the first wireless company to offer commercial 4G Long Term Evolution service in the United States, starting next year," she said.

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