Verizon Wireless' $18 Million Plus Network Investment Means Hawaii Customers Can Stay Connected

HONOLULU, HI — Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, has invested more than $18 million in Hawaii during the last 18 months to enhance the reach and capabilities of its wireless network in the state. Using the company's national high-speed Express Network^SM, mobile professionals in Hawaii can connect via the BlackBerry 6750^TM to send and receive information wirelessly while on the nation's largest, most reliable nationwide network.

"Whether our customers want to check e-mails from Lahaina, Las Vegas or Boston, we are committed to providing them with an expansive, high-capacity data and voice network," said Mark Yamauchi, director of sales for Hawaii. "Verizon Wireless is dedicated to reliably servicing all of Hawaii, and we will continue to invest to help provide a superior wireless experience," added Yamauchi.

The Hawaii investment was part of Verizon Wireless' ongoing, aggressive network investment program that has averaged $4 billion a year for the last two years. The company's partnership with Research in Motion (RIM) is great news for the people of Hawaii - customers can expect average transmission speeds between 40 and 60 kilobits per second (kbps) with bursts up to 144 kbps on their Express Network supported Blackberry handheld.

True to form, the BlackBerry's 6750s sleek shape features a keyboard that makes typing easy and efficient for e-mail and attachment correspondence as well as short text messaging. The 6750 also has a speakerphone/microphone and privacy headset for voice use. This marks the first time BlackBerry is available on a 1X network in Hawaii.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 33.3 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research in Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including e-mail, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. Rim technology also enables their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM's portfolio of award- winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry^TM wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld^TM product line, software development tools, radio-modems, and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq:RIMM) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.  

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