Location:  Branchburg, New Jersey

With Verizon Wireless Since:  2000

Miles Driven Daily:
100-150

Current Ringtone:
“4 Minutes” by Madonna

Current Ringback Tone:
“The Distance” by Cake

Favorite Verizon Wireless Service or Feature:
V CAST and VZ Navigator

How did you become a Test Woman?
I was interested in learning more about Network system performance and radio frequency design. Being a baseline driver is a great opportunity to interact with both disciplines while continuing my own education and career growth. In addition, it’s great to know that I help to make sure we have the most reliable network every day.

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?
The most rewarding part of my day is when we resolve a network trouble that I identified, whether it’s a lost call or a data network issue.

What do you have in common with the Test Man in the commercials?
We both have cool eyeglasses and a very dry sense of humor.

Which traits make you a successful Test Woman?
I am stubborn in a good way. If I find a problem I do everything I can to resolve it. I am patient, which is helpful with New Jersey traffic. I am also very personable, which I have learned is very important. I am constantly approached about my test vehicle when out drive-testing. Since I often am the face of the Verizon Wireless network to many of our customers that I meet in my travels, I always want to leave them with the best impression I can.

What does “It’s the Network” mean to you?
For me “It’s the Network” means people. Hundreds of really dedicated employees in who go above and beyond when called upon to make sure we are the best we can be everyday. It’s an awesome feeling to be part of that.

Why does Verizon Wireless need to test the network every day?
The network is dynamic. It breathes and changes every day and even ours is not perfect. Driving every day helps us get one step closer to being perfect. If there are small problems that could become customer- impacting, we can find them before they do.

What is the most unique place you have visited to test the Verizon Wireless network?
That’s a good question because I see a lot of strange things. I would have to say Port Newark. There is so much industry there and so many cargo containers! You feel tiny even driving in an SUV.

How does Verizon Wireless use the data you collect?
We use the data to make our network better. First by identifying where we have system performance issues and second by also identifying where we need additional cell sites for coverage. On the BroadbandAccess side it’s similar but we also pay close attention to our average throughput speeds to make sure the network is optimized.

What should consumers know about the Verizon Wireless network?
They should know that we do, at the end of the day, have the most reliable network. I see it every day and it’s really rewarding to see our devices outperform our competitors. They should also know we are only this good because our employees work really hard to keep it that way.

What achievement/aspect of your job are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the fact that I help make our network stronger every day; it’s the most rewarding part of my job.

MEDIA CONTACT:
David Samberg
845-365-7212
David.Samberg@VerizonWireless.com

Reliability Studies for the northeast