Verizon Wireless Ties for Highest Ranking In Customer Satisfaction In Houston By J.D. Power and Associates

HOUSTON, TX — Verizon Wireless announced today it has tied as the leader in customer satisfaction among wireless users in Houston, according to the highly-regarded J.D. Power and Associates 2001 U.S. Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study released today. This is the 6^th consecutive year Verizon Wireless has received this top ranking in Houston.

In the second J.D. Power and Associates formal ranking of customer satisfaction since the formation of Verizon Wireless last year, the company has shown it is a consistent leader in providing high customer satisfaction. Call quality was rated the most important factor in determining satisfaction by the study respondents. Other factors, in order of importance, were pricing options, corporate capability, customer service, credibility/communications, and roaming/coverage.

"Our customers in Houston have spoken and have confirmed their satisfaction with their Verizon Wireless service," said Katherine Greene, president, Verizon Wireless, Houston. "We are gratified that our efforts to launch innovative products and services, such as Mobile Messenger text messaging and [FREEUP] prepaid service, as well as our continued focus on our tried-and-true digital offerings, have resonated with customers."

The ultimate factor in the quality of wireless service - and the customer's satisfaction - is the network that carries the call. Verizon Wireless' superior network consistently delivers the best call quality and coast-to-coast coverage. To maintain and enhance this level of performance, Verizon Wireless has invested $100 million in its Houston network thus far in 2001. In addition, the company operates a specially-equipped fleet of 50 cars that roam throughout its coverage area testing call quality. The Houston-based vehicle tests approximately 1,400 calls each day.

Each year, Verizon Wireless strives to meet all the criteria of the J.D. Power and Associates study with its advanced coast-to-coast network and ability to offer feature-rich, cost-effective nationwide plans and services like SingleRate, Mobile Web, Mobile Messenger and New Every Two.

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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