Verizon Wireless is working to boost its signal strength in Lawrence and spread its communications coverage into areas southeast of town.

Verizon, the country’s largest wireless telephone carrier, soon will install an antenna and related equipment on an existing 1,000-foot TV tower southeast of Lawrence.

The tower, owned by Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Inc. and located on land leased from Harold and Athalie Lutz, will enable Verizon to pump up the quality of its signal in much of Lawrence, said Bob Herlihy, Verizon projects director for Selective Site Consultants Inc. in Overland Park.

Working to retain current customers costs less than having to fight competitors to woo them back, he said.

“Marketing departments and carriers are very anxious to keep current customers happy,” Herlihy said.

But the additional equipment also will expand Verizon’s service area, he said. According to the company’s conceptual service-area maps, the new antenna would:

Boost signal strength and quality in much of eastern Lawrence, stretching into areas between Lawrence and Eudora.

Add signal coverage southeast of Lawrence, extending nearly to U.S. Highway 56 and reaching into the northern part of Baldwin and covering Douglas County State Lake.

Herlihy also has plans in the works for putting up a new, 120-foot tower on agricultural land north of North 1800 Road, west of Lawrence Municipal Airport. The tower concept already has clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration, he said, and plans soon will be forwarded to Douglas County officials for approval.

The new Verizon tower also would have space available for use by other wireless carriers, Herlihy said.

As Lawrence and the county continue to experience population growth, he said, officials can expect to see more applications for adding equipment to existing towers and plans for putting up new ones.