Verizon Wireless has constructed a $50 million Mobile Telephone Switching Office in South Florida. It will strengthen wireless coverage and advance services for customers throughout the region.

It will serve as Verizon’s main processing hub for South Florida, serving Key West through all of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The facility will be able to handle tens of millions of voice calls and wireless data transmissions such as text, photo and video messages.

The building will be equipped for Verizon’s LTE roll out scheduled for later this year.

“Our network teams have been working extremely long and hard on this giant jewel of wireless network technology,” said Frank Wise, Florida executive network director.  “This is a big moment for our technicians and a great moment for wireless customers in South Florida.”

The building can handle a Category 5 hurricane along with large-scale expansion. It has full back-up power and it will serve as the Emergency Operations Center for South Florida should there be a hurricane or other crisis.

Photo Courtesy of wallyg via Flickr