Verizon upgrades wireless network to 3G in Georgia

Verizon Wireless said it has finished upgrading its high-speed wireless network in Georgia, allowing the entire system to run on an advanced capability known as 3G.

The company said it spent more than $120 million to upgrade 1,200 cell sites and add 100 others this year to complete the project. The enhancements included new hardware and software that make the speeds of Verizon’s high-speed wireless network comparable to that of its broadband network, the company said.

The network covers 40,000 square miles in Georgia, the company said.

Verizon is doing this work with tax credits from Georgia’s Business Expansion and Support Tax Act, said Caran Smith, a spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless’ Georgia and Alabama region.

Verizon’s Broadband Access product has average download speeds that range between 600 kilobits per second and 1.4 megabits per second. This means customers can download a 1 megabyte e-mail attachment in about 8 seconds, the company said. The upload speeds range between 500 and 800 kilobits per second , which means that same e-mail can be sent in less than 13 seconds, the company said.

— Kristi Swartz