Verizon Wireless Completes $110 Million Enhancement To Michigan Network in 2004

SOUTHFIELD, MI — Verizon Wireless announced today it has completed a $110 million investment for 2004 to enhance the company's digital network in Michigan by upgrading transmission sites and technology to improve call quality, increase coverage areas and enable a variety of advanced services such as TXT and Video Messaging and other applications.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $300 million over the past three years in Michigan network upgrades alone.

"As this large investment makes clear, we're not letting up in our mission to keep delivering the most reliable wireless network in Michigan," said Greg Haller, president—Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. "Michigan is an especially important market due to its increasing role as an innovator in the technology industry and its demand for the latest wireless technology, and we're working hard and investing a lot to bring the best of it all here."

Network upgrade highlights in Michigan for 2004 include:

• 34 new cell sites were activated across the state to improve coverage and capacity.
• Equipment on 225 existing cell sites across Michigan was upgraded to increase capacity, enabling more customers to use their phones concurrently.
• 110 permanent backup generators were installed at Michigan cell sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.
• A new 40,000-square-foot Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) was completed. This state-of-the-art network facility houses the electronics that run much of Verizon Wireless' network in metro Detroit.

In addition to improving new services and everyday wireless calling coverage, the Verizon Wireless network investment is designed to enhance public safety. Resources including Cell On Light Truck (COLT) vehicles are available for immediate dispatch to the site of any emergency. These vehicles are fully self-contained for rapid deployment and extended service.

"We have spent our first, and we will spend our last dollar on our network," said Haller. "To understand the importance and benefit of building the state's most reliable network, we only have to look back at the blackout of 2003 in which a large portion of Michigan was affected by the huge power outage. Verizon Wireless' network remained operational because many of our cell sites already had permanent generators. With the improvements we completed in 2004, we are poised to handle emergencies as well as the increasing demands on our network in 2005."

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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 preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Editor's Note:
Test Man Ride-Along Program
The specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test six wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse "conversations" as well as data transmissions. Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, contact Michelle Gilbert at 248- 915-3680 or via email at Michelle.Gilbert@VerizonWireless.com  

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