Verizon Wireless Reaches Out to Young Adults with Opening of New Wisconsin Mall Locations

MILWAUKEE, WI — Verizon Wireless will open four new communications stores at popular Wisconsin shopping centers this weekend, as part of the company's expanded marketing thrust to reach the state's young consumers.

The nation's largest wireless communications provider will host a "Grand Opening Celebration" from September 21-23, at its new retail locations in Southridge Mall, 5300 S. 76th Street, Milwaukee; Brookfield Square, 95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield; Janesville Mall, 2500 Milton Avenue, Janesville; and West Towne Mall, 66 W. Towne Mall, Madison.

The new locations bring the number of the company's Wisconsin retail stores to 16.

The new stores will feature Verizon Wireless' full array of products and pricing plans, including a special new service package designed for customers 16 to 24 years old. The number of late teens and young adults subscribing to wireless service is expected to grow from more than 11 million in 2000 to more than 30 million in 2004.

"There are approximately 34 million young adults and late teens in the United States, with another 11,000 joining this segment every day," said John Knazur, regional director of retail operations. "They are technology savvy and have an insatiable desire for the latest in everything. What better place to showcase Verizon Wireless products and services than shopping malls, where young consumers are known to frequent. We want to be fully accessible to them."

Each of the communications stores will feature Verizon Wireless' new [FREEUP] service package, the first nationwide wireless service in the country to offer both voice calls and short text messaging on a prepaid service. The unique program provides an economical way for young customers to manage wireless costs while having access to the latest wireless technology.

Packaged at $124.99, the [FREEUP] starter package includes a Nokia 5185i wireless handset, service activation, a $50 prepay [SETUP] Card, Mobile Messenger^SM Spk 'n Txt short text messaging, voice mail, call waiting, domestic long distance, national roaming and [TIMEUP] Minute Meter^SM, a feature that helps customers manage their usage and notifies them when it is time to replenish.

As part of the grand opening celebration, customers can receive a 20% discount on all safety accessories, such as earbuds and one-sided headsets, from September 21-23 at any Verizon Wireless communications store in Wisconsin.

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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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