Verizon Wireless To Hire More Than 150 New Customer Service Employees In Chandler, Arizona

CHANDLER, AZ — Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, is expanding its customer service center operations in Chandler, Ariz. and will hire more than 150 new full-time employees in the next month. The $20 million Regional Headquarters and Customer Service Center has already brought more than 450 new jobs to the local economy in the past six months.

Growth in demand for Verizon Wireless products and services not only triggered more than $75 million in network investment in Arizona last year, it is also prompting continued growth in new jobs in the state. "With the highest customer loyalty rate in the industry, having trained customer service employees available to help customers make the best use of their service is a top priority for Verizon Wireless," said Brian Danfield, director-Customer Service. "The Valley's skilled local talent pool means our Chandler Center can continue to grow as our customers grow."

Individuals interested in customer service representative job opportunities in Chandler can call 1-800-575-HIRE (4473) or visit www.verizonwireless.com/careers.  

The company offers a competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage; participation in the company's 401k program with dollar for dollar match up to six percent of salary; paid training; tuition reimbursement; an annual bonus program for non-sales employees; profit-sharing; a long-term incentive program similar to stock options; and an on-site fitness center.

"The new jobs at the Chandler center are a direct result of Verizon Wireless' record-breaking growth in 2004 and our customer loyalty performance," said Danfield. "Each new customer service representative is selected on the basis on skills, experience and the attributes we've seen lead to customer satisfaction, then trained for six weeks-in the classroom and with side-by-side coaching on the job. The level of skill our Chandler employees demonstrate is a great example of the company's Customers First culture and focus on customer satisfaction."

Verizon Wireless has a strong presence in Arizona. The new 150 positions will bring the number of employees working in the state to more than 1,600. The company owns- and operates- 37 Communications Stores and kiosks in Arizona, including Verizon Wireless stores at Circuit City.

A Great Place to Work
Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the country because of its employee-friendly policies. In 2004, the company was named one of Working Mother magazine's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" for the fourth year in a row. Health magazine named the company one of 10 U.S. employers revolutionizing workplaces to help women balance their professional and personal responsibilities.

For four consecutive years, Verizon Wireless has been named one of the nation's top 100 companies by Training magazine for its continued commitment to employee development and for connecting its training programs to business objectives. This year the company ranked 14^th on the magazine's annual list of the "Top 100 Training Organizations in America" — announced last week — and was the highest ranked wireless service provider.

Record Setting Performance
Verizon Wireless' 2004 performance set industry records for customer growth and retention. The company added more than 6.3 million net new customers during the year, posted the lowest churn/highest customer retention in its history, and continued its record of strong profitability.

Editor's Note: Verizon Wireless Training Program
Verizon Wireless conducts a six-week comprehensive, ongoing training program to prepare new representatives to serve customers. Members of the media interested in visiting the Verizon Wireless Regional Headquarters and Customer Service Center in Chandler to participate in a training class can contact Jenny Weaver at 480-763-6321.

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 and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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