Verizon Wireless Improves Service, Doubles Network Capacity In Virginia's Northern Neck

RICHMOND, VA — Verizon Wireless has completed work that more than doubles the number of calls its extensive wireless network can handle for customers in Virginia's Northern Neck.

The company said today it has deployed the latest code division multiple access (CDMA) digital call handling equipment in its analog cell sites in five counties. The Verizon Wireless digital network in the Northern Neck now extends over 500 square miles in Lancaster, Richmond, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and King George Counties.

The new capacity and coverage mean improved voice service, fewer dropped calls, greater call clarity and longer battery life, all just in time for the busy summer vacation season. In addition, the digital service will enable customers to use wireless data devices such as those delivered on the Verizon Wireless Kyocera 6035 Smartphone.

CDMA digital wireless service transmits calls as a series of binary ones and zeroes for greater call clarity, as opposed to continuous radio waves transmitted by analog service, and each call is encoded for superior wireless security. CDMA digital handsets transmit at much lower power levels than analog phones for significantly longer battery life and talk time, and provide customers advanced wireless services such as Internet access and text messaging.

"With this significant wireless network upgrade, we're providing our local business and consumer customers with the technology and capabilities they've been asking for," said Patrick Devlin, president of Verizon Wireless' Washington/Baltimore/Virginia Region. "Digital subscribers will notice an immediate difference in the quality of their calls and longer battery life."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 27 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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