Wireless Phone Customers in Grand Rapids, Michigan Area Receive Improved Service From Enhanced Network

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — To stay ahead of its growing customer base and demand for its voice and data services, Verizon Wireless has activated two new cell sites and upgraded several others throughout the Grand Rapids area.

The two new cell sites improve the company's digital network coverage and capacity in the southeastern portion of Kent County, the town of Alto and along Interstate-96, running through downtown Grand Rapids and the surrounding area.

The upgraded cell sites in the Grand Rapids area further enhance wireless service for Verizon Wireless customers in the following cities:

• Kent City
• Macatawa
• Holland
• Caledonia
• Byron Center

All of the improvements increase the strength of the Verizon Wireless network signal and increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently. As a result, Verizon Wireless customers will experience fewer dropped calls and clearer reception while talking on their wireless phones, handling data applications (such as TXT and Picture Messaging) or downloading games and ringtones with the company's Get It Now® services.

"During the past year in the Grand Rapids area, our customer base has grown and the average number of minutes our customers use their wireless phones has increased, resulting in a 40 percent growth in volume on our network," said Greg Haller, president—Michigan/ Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "These network enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the high quality of service they expect from Verizon Wireless."

These improvements are part of Verizon Wireless' continuous effort to increase capacity and augment the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Michigan and across the country. Nationally each year, the company invests about $1 billion every 90 days to improve and expand what is already the most reliable wireless network in the United States. More than $110 million of this investment will be spent this year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless products and services in Michigan.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data 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. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

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