Verizon Wireless Selects Pittsburgh International Airport for First-of-its-Kind Wireless Communications Store

PITTSBURGH, PA — Verizon Wireless has landed at Pittsburgh International Airport with a first-of-its-kind Communications Store that is sure to "take off" with travelers through the region. With extended, non-traditional store hours, a free re-charging station for cell phone batteries and even a "language line" to assist non-English speaking travelers, this Verizon Wireless location targets the unique needs of the consumer traveling through one of the country's busiest airports.

"This is the first Communications Store Verizon Wireless has opened in an airport anywhere in the United States," said Roger Tang, president, Ohio/Pennsylvania Region of Verizon Wireless. "Pittsburgh has an opportunity to truly shine as we roll out services that are geared to the special needs of the traveler, whether he or she is a local resident going out of town, or a customer from elsewhere who needs wireless service when arriving here."

Tang said this new retail outlet is truly a customer care center, breaking from the traditional staffing with customer care representatives making up 50 percent of this store's staff.

"Our employees here are trained to serve a national customer base," Tang explained. "Their focus at this location is customer service for each wireless user who travels through the Pittsburgh airport. We're offering some services at this store you won't find elsewhere."

Among those services are a free re-charging station where wireless users (even those who are not Verizon Wireless customers) can charge their cell phone batteries while they wait for flights. Verizon Wireless customers have the extra advantage of checking their phones with a customer care representative who will test and re-charge the battery while the customer dines or shops in the AIRMALL®. A language line is also available to non-English speaking travelers who want to sign up for wireless service while here but need to have their conversation translated in order to make their purchase. In addition, the store is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year, to accommodate the needs of travelers whose schedules don't fit into the "regular store hours" of traditional retail outlets.

"We are delighted to be the first airport stop for Verizon Wireless," said Jay Kruisselbrink, vice president of development for BAA Pittsburgh, Inc., the developer and leasing company of the AIRMALL® at Pittsburgh International Airport. " Verizon Wireless adds to a stable of top flight retailers, providing quality goods and innovative services for our customers. It's great to have them on board."

The new mini-store is a free-standing facility located at the top of the escalators in the airside terminal, near the entrance to Concourse "C." Customers can purchase phones, accessories and service plans and have access to the largest, most advanced digital network in the United States.

Carolyn Eligan is manager of the store; other staff members include senior sales representatives Troy Heckathorn and Ken Petersen; retail sales representative Maggie Ryan; and customer care representatives Amy Beebout, Tracey Petreskey and Bethany Romestan. The phone number at the store is 412-472-0670.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28 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 97 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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