If money talks, Verizon, then Nebraska can hear you now.
Over the last three years, Nebraska cellular infrastructure investments from Verizon Wireless have been more than double than that of rival AT&T.
According to figures released by both cellular giants this month, from the start of 2009 through 2011 Verizon Wireless — the state's largest cellular provider — spent $200.4 million on Fourth Generation, or 4G, networks in Omaha and Lincoln and adding cell sites and equipment around the state.
During that same period, AT&T, spent $90 million.
Although Verizon is, by far, Nebraska's largest cellular provider, both companies remain locked in an increasingly serious bandwidth crunch caused by the rising usage of data-intensive smartphones, tablet computers and wireless hotspots. The issue has caused both Verizon and AT&T to implement throttling strategies that cap the data speeds of extreme users who use significantly more data than the average user.
"We know Nebraskans depend on their smartphones, tablets, laptop modems and other wireless devices to stay connected, to be more productive and for entertainment," said Seamus Hyland, president of Verizon's Great Plains region.
The majority of capital from both companies went toward boosting network capacity, 4G buildouts around Nebraska's main population centers, Omaha and Lincoln, and connecting cell towers with newer, faster fiber- optic cables. AT&T offers 4G only in and around the Omaha metropolitan area.
"Our goal is to deliver a network experience that mobilizes everything for customers," said Beth Canuteson, AT&T's regional vice president for Nebraska.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1414, ross.boettcher@owh.com
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