Verizon Wireless said it invested $29 million in new cellular sites and other equipment in Hawaii last year.

The company has invested more than $186 million in the Islands since 2000 and $50 billion nationally over the past eight years.

Verizon said the 2008 enhancements "significantly increase the number of calls and data transmissions the Verizon Wireless network can handle for its customers in Honolulu and throughout the islands."

Verison added seven new cell sites last year, including three on the Big Island (Volcano Estates, Laupahoehoe and Puna), two Oahu (Nuuanu and Iriquois Point) and two on Kauai (Puhi Road and Wailua Homestead)