Each week, we share a collection of Verizon news and stories from your neighborhood that you may have missed in the past week. Here’s what’s new with Verizon in the Midwest from the week of May 14.
ILLINOIS / WISCONSIN REGION
Wireless carriers boosting networks for NATO – Chicago Tribune – Chicago, IL (May 16, 2012)
Several wireless carriers are bolstering network capacity for this weekend’s NATO summit, with some of the improvements staying in place after the event concludes… AT&T, for example, will have cell sites on wheels, known as COWs, near Daley Plaza and Grant Park… Sprint said it has a COW outside McCormick Place’s Lakeside building. It has also enhanced voice and data capacity for four in-building cell sites at the convention hall’s north and south buildings and added a cell site to the Lakeside building… T-Mobile said it added capacity “at all in-building and outside cell sites serving McCormick Place.”… Verizon Wireless said it is prepared for increased traffic this weekend but declined to provide details. “We have taken measures to do everything we can to meet the anticipated demands of our network during the NATO Summit,” spokeswoman Andrea Meyer said in a statement. “We will not get into details at this time for security reasons.”
Verizon bringing 4G service to Peoria – www.pjstar.com – Peoria, IL (May 17, 2012)
Verizon Wireless has made Peoria and a number of surrounding communities part of its 4G network, cellular phone service that the company reports is 10 times faster than the 3G service previously available. On Tuesday, Verizon added Peoria to its list of 250 markets across the country that offer the 4G Long Term Evolution service, said Dave Finch, a Verizon district manager who oversees eight offices in central Illinois.
KANSAS / MISSOURI REGION
Top Ten Mother’s Day apps – KSGF Radio – Springfield, MO (May 12, 2012)
Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Tech Talk host provided listeners with ten more ways Verizon Wireless users can get the most out of their devices. You can listen to “Tech Talk” every Saturday morning from 9 – 11 AM on KSGF Radio (104.1 F) in Springfield, MO.
Miners Care Night – thesouthern.com – Carbondale/Marion, IL (May 15, 2012)
Verizon Wireless and the Southern Illinois Miners will be hosting Miners Care Night on June 20 to help combat domestic abuse. Customers were asked to donated phones, devices and accessories at southern Illinois Verizon Wireless retail stores between May 10 and 18, and donors received two tickets to the Miners Care Night game versus the Evansville Otters. The donated phones and accessories go to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program.
OHIO / WEST VIRGINIA / PENNSYLVANIA REGION
Behind the scenes look at what cell phone carriers are doing to boost your signal – WEWS-TV – Cleveland, OH (May 14, 2012)
Technology is great, but dropped cell phone calls and slow data speeds still frustrate consumers. So, what’s being done to keep the network up to speed with our demanding habits? We went behind the scenes to show you what carriers are doing to help you, and how you can help them. … “I’m doing a ping or an upload or download,” Clark Kent said. Kent drives around in a $350,000 vehicle to find signal soft spots. His vehicle is loaded with computers, GPS, antennas and cell phones.
HomeFusion 4G Broadband Internet Available Now From Verizon Wireless – Techburgh – Pittsburgh, PA (May 18, 2012)
In the market for home internet service? Not sure you want to go with your Cable Company for service? Are you in one of Verizon Wireless‘ 230 4G markets? If you answered yes to any of those question then HomeFusion may be for you. Basically HomeFusion is 4G Wireless Internet for your home. Verizon comes and install’s a 4G antenna at your residence, connects it to a router, and your good to go with blazing fast Verizon Wireless 4G speeds. The router that Verizon installs is good for up to 4 Wired connections and 20 Wi-Fi devices at once. Data Speeds range from 5-12 Mbps down and 2-5 Mbps upload.
GREAT PLAINS REGION
Verizon expands 4G LTE network in Mitchell – Mitchell Daily Republic – Mitchell, SD (May 16, 2012)
Verizon Wireless will expand its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in Mitchell starting Thursday, enabling customers in more areas of South Dakota to take advantage of the nation’s largest 4G LTE network. The company also will expand its 4G LTE footprint in 10 other markets currently with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service and introduce the network in 28 new markets the same day. With the new and expanded markets, the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network will be available in a total of 258 markets, covering more than two-thirds of the U.S. population.
Local teen fights dating violence with music – KARE11.com – Golden Valley, MN (May 19, 2012)
A young singer from Brooklyn Park is hoping her song will help teens recognize unhealthy relationships. Shanell McCoy is one of seven youth artists from across the country who will have her song featured by PAVE (Preventing Abuse and Violence Through Education) the Way Project. McCoy says she wants her song “Breath” to help stop the cycle of dating violence. She says that relationships teens have when they’re young will shape their future relationships. PAVE the Way project launched nationwide on April 10th, and each youth artist track is being released each Tuesday through May 22.
MICHIGAN / INDIANA / KENTUCKY REGION
We Tried It: Fitness tracker needs heart-rate monitor – Indianapolis Star – Indianapolis, IN (May 12, 2012)
What: Motorola’s MOTOACTV GPS fitness tracker and MP3 player. Cost: Starting at $249.99, sold online at www.motoactv.com and Verizon Wireless stores. Description: This fitness tracker and MP3 player enables you to plan workouts, create long-term goals and analyze your performance online for running, cycling, walking, golfing or exercising on an elliptical or step machine. It wirelessly synchs with your home computer or laptop. The device will show your rate per mile, distance, duration and calories used as you work out, and it will map your route. You can create playlists — even monitor what music helps your performance — and play FM radio.
Verizon Celebrating 4G Launch In Berrien County – WJSM AM – Berrien County, MI (May 16, 2012)
If you want to try to win a 4G Samsung Galaxy tablet computer, you’ll want to head over to the Verizon Wireless store in St. Joseph Thursday morning. The cell phone company is launching the faster 4G service in most of Berrien County and spokeswoman Michelle Gilbert says they’re giving away two of the seven-inch tablet computers to celebrate.
For more Verizon Wireless news specific to the Midwest region, subscribe via RSS to news by state. Or, subscribe to the entire Verizon Midwest blog via RSS, or by entering your email along the left side of the blog.
