Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network, Adds Capacity In Philadelphia

TREVOSE, PA — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents and tourists, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its wireless network in Philadelphia. The new cell site provides increased coverage and capacity along the I-76 Schuylkill Expressway from the University Avenue exit to the 30th Street Station exit.

The new cell site is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services, like two-way text messaging, picture messaging, downloadable applications including ringtones and games, and wireless Internet access.

'Test Man' Isn't Just a Commercial Character
The new cell site is also part of Verizon Wireless' commitment to continue to offer customers the most reliable service available on the nation's best wireless voice and data network. The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women who inspired the company's national advertising campaign. The engineers conduct more than 300,000 call attempts monthly on Verizon Wireless' and other national wireless carriers' networks while traveling over 100,000 miles of the most frequently traveled roadways nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles*.

"This network expansion in Philadelphia will allow us to continue to meet the growing need of local businesses and consumers' voice calls and data applications with our high-speed BroadbandAccess service and Get it Now® downloadable applications," said Christine Baron, Verizon Wireless' Philadelphia Tri-State regional president.

For precious family moments or business-related needs, Verizon Wireless' picture messaging service allows customers to quickly and easily take photographs with a camera-phone, add a message and voice recording, and send to friends, colleagues or an email address of their choice over the company's high-speed wireless data network. The NationalAccess high-speed wireless data network provides fast wireless Internet service at average speeds between 60 and 80 kbps with bursts up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps).

BroadbandAccess is Verizon Wireless' premiere data service powered by Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) technology. It offers one of the fastest wide-area wireless data experiences in the U.S. today with typical download speeds ranging from 300 — 500 Kbps capable of reaching speeds up to 2.0 Mbps. BroadbandAccess is available in more than 20 major metropolitan areas and airports from coast to coast. Because it is backward compatible, customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess network, based on 1xRTT technology.

Verizon Wireless invests more than $1 billion every 90 days in its nationwide network, to offer customers the most extensive wireless voice and data network in the United States. The network is built for reliability in emergencies -- like power blackouts and storms -- with redundancies in place to maintain services for customers when they need it most.

Note to editors and reporters:
Specially-equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the networks of all major wireless providers, using technology to generate phonically diverse "conversations." If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your locally-based Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Megan Shames at 215.790.4343.

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, 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 on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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