Wireless Internet Access Expanding Throughout Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA — Residents in central and northwestern Pennsylvania are the newest Internet users to have available to them wireless access to the Web via a cell phone. Verizon Wireless recently launched its Mobile Web service in Harrisburg and surrounding counties as well as in north central and northwestern Pennsylvania.

Mobile Web combines the mobility of wireless communication with access to World Wide Web-based information and the ability to easily personalize that information. It is designed to meet each user's specific personal and business needs, with a simple intuitive format making it easy for the user to customize what they want to see displayed on their handset.

Verizon Wireless introduced Mobile Web in major cities throughout the country last July and is now expanding the service to additional locations as part of its plan to offer Mobile Web nationwide. Roger Tang, regional president for Verizon Wireless-Pennsylvania/West Virginia, said the company recently completed an upgrade of its network in central and northwestern Pennsylvania adding digital service to these areas. This technology enables local customers to take advantage of Mobile Web.

" The introduction of Mobile Web in this region marks a new era in the convergence of wireless and the Internet for local consumers," Tang said. "In addition to an extensive number of national Web sites, Harrisburg area residents have the added benefit of access to local information through our partnership with WHP Eyewitness News, which will provide top local stories, weather, sports and school or business closings or delays."

Users can customize either directly from their handset or via desktop computer using the www.MyVZW.com Web site. The "MyVZW" Web site provides a personal homepage enabling users to identify text message alerts they want sent to the handset as well as select only the Internet-based information they want to receive. Through a series of agreements Verizon Wireless has made with Internet content provides, Mobile Web customers can access a variety of Web sites ranging from personal finance and shopping to news and entertainment. By customizing the information desired via MyVZW.com, users can receive updates on their own stock portfolio and have an alert sent when a particular stock reaches a target price point. They can also comparison shop, book airline flights, make restaurant reservations, receive their daily horoscopes, or keep up with favorite sports teams.

Verizon Wireless Makes Internet Access Practical

For a competitive price starting as low as $6.95 a month, a Verizon Wireless customer can add Mobile Web service to any digital service plan, including the company's popular SingleRateâ flat-rate pricing plans which start at $35.00 for monthly access. Customers may choose from as many as six different Web-capable wireless handsets and have three different pricing plans from which to select.

As an introduction to Mobile Web, Verizon Wireless will waive the monthly access fee for the first month. To sign up, customers can visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store or call 1-800-466-4646.

About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S.with 27.5 million wireless voice and data customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp -- now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 38,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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