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Hernando Today

Wireless Companies Still Spending In Florida

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: January 5, 2009

SPRING HILL - Verizon invested nearly $155 million on enhancing its wireless network in Florida last year.

Sprint was on pace to spend more than $50 million - with 20 percent of that going toward the Tampa region.

AT&T declined to give any statistics, but based on estimates from a year ago, the three largest wireless companies were expected to invest a total of more than $400 million in one year.

In December, Verizon announced its investment figures to prove how much it was committed to "further expand and enhance coverage to customers throughout Florida in 2008," according to a media release.

While its investment more than tripled that of Sprint, the latter focused much of its attention in the Tampa market, due in large part to the influx of customers in town for Super Bowl XLIII, said Kristin Wallace, a Sprint spokeswoman.

The game will take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Stadium and will include a series of public events beginning Jan. 10.

"It's not just for towers, but also for enhancements, added sites and any Super Bowl preparations," she said. "We did some upgrades at the stadium, including some in-building (antennas)."

In the third quarter alone, Sprint invested more than $8 million in the Tampa area, Wallace said.

AT&T announced 10 months ago it had spent more than $1 billion in four years on Florida's wireless network and that it had planned to spend another $220 million in 2008.

"We continue to expand our wireless network to increase coverage and capacity," said AT&T spokeswoman Gretchen Schultz. "In 2008, we activated dozens of cell sites and we continue to expand ... we are not releasing those numbers during the current economic and business environment."

Two AT&T towers were activated in Spring Hill and Weeki Wachee, respectively, earlier this year.

In spite of the focus on Tampa, fewer than five were built in Hernando County, said Jerry Greif, a spokesman with the Planning Department.

"There haven't been that many requests that I can think of," Greif said. "They come in rushes. You'll see a bunch and then none for a while."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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