Verizon Wireless Answers The Mayor's Call: Accelerates Expansion Of Wireless Broadband Network In New York City And Metro Region

ORANGEBURG, NY — Responding to Mayor Bloomberg's call for New Yorkers to enjoy state-of-the-art wireless broadband services, Verizon Wireless said it will accelerate expansion plans for its Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) wireless network in New York City and in the greater metropolitan area.

In just three months since the launch of V CAST, Verizon Wireless' wireless broadband multimedia service, and little more than six months since the company launched BroadbandAccess laptop and PDA connectivity for business users, Charles Hand, New York Metro regional president of Verizon Wireless, concurred with Mayor Bloomberg and said the company is up to the challenge. "Businesses and consumers are enjoying the productivity and entertainment benefits of both V CAST and BroadbandAccess in New York and the region today," Hand said. "We are now accelerating our high-speed network build in the New York metropolitan area, responding to both the Mayor's goal of expanding New York's lead, as well as to stay ahead of customer demand."

V CAST and BroadbandAccess are already available from Wall Street to the George Washington Bridge; from Fort Lee, NJ east to Morristown, south to Summit and East Brunswick; and at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty Airports.

"By Labor Day," announced Hand, "we will significantly expand our high-speed broadband services in the region to parts of Queens, Westchester and Rockland counties; the southern shore of Long Island; and in Bergen, Morris, Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey."

Already in 2005, Verizon Wireless has invested $138 million in network enhancements in the New York Metro area. In 2004, the company invested a total of $475 million in its New York Metro network.

Both V CAST and BroadbandAccess, which run on Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network, the fastest, most widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States, are outperforming the company's expectations, Hand said. "It's clear from a national perspective that consumers and businesses want an exceptional broadband wireless experience, whether for explosively fast Internet and email access that makes them more productive, or for viewing short videos of updated news, sports and timely entertainment features. New Yorkers are at the vanguard in adopting that trend."

As Verizon Wireless continues to expand its network to meet the future needs of customers seeking high-speed mobility, Verizon Communications has begun phasing out its Wi-Fi hot spot service in New York City that was used exclusively by Verizon Online Internet access customers.

Broadband Access
Developed with a range of users in mind, Verizon Wireless' wide-area high-speed wireless broadband network also gives New Yorkers a fast, convenient way to conduct business anytime, anywhere with Verizon Wireless' BroadbandAccess service. Faster than any competing wide-area wireless technology, and with typical speeds of 400-700 kbps, BroadbandAccess customers can download a 1 Megabyte email attachment (for example, a small PowerPoint presentation or a large PDF file), or receive three digital pictures (each 400 x 600 pixels) in less than 20 seconds. Because it is backward compatible-a distinct advantage to using CDMA technology-customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess coverage area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess network, based on 1xRTT technology.

BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access for unlimited use with a one- or two-year customer agreement. Verizon Wireless is offering a promotional saving on its newest BroadbandAccess devices, the Novatel V620 PC card and the Kyocera KPC650 PC Card. For a limited time, Verizon Wireless customers can buy the Kyocera KPC650 PC Card for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and two-year customer agreement.

V CAST
V CAST from Verizon Wireless is the first true wireless broadband consumer multimedia service in the country, allowing customers to view crystal clear graphics for 3D games and video clips because it runs on Verizon Wireless' Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network — the fastest most widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States.

For $15.00 monthly access added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan, customers get the V CAST VPak that includes unlimited access to a wide array of more than 300 regularly updated video clips from leading content providers. Unlimited basic video clips are included, but application download fees apply for 3D games, premium video clips and all other Get It Now® applications. There are no airtime charges to download or stream and watch video clips and other V CAST content. Verizon Wireless V CAST customers also receive monthly access and unlimited browsing on Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0^SM news and information service. In addition, customers can choose from premium video clip content, available at additional cost that includes music videos and more.

For a limited time, customers who sign up for V CAST will receive two months of service free. V CAST's array of hot new multimedia programming is located in the Get It Now virtual store — customers can access video from favorite news, sports and entertainment providers in the getFLIX shopping aisle and check out new cutting-edge 3D games in the getGAMES aisle. V CAST also gives customers unlimited airtime to browse and view applications in the other familiar Get It Now shopping aisles — such as getTONES and getGOING.

Customers can get V CAST on the LG VX8000, available to Verizon Wireless customers for $149.99 after $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement. V CAST customers can also choose from two additional V CAST phones, the Samsung a890, which is $249.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement, and the CDM8940 from UTStarcom Personal Communications (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.) for $229.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement.

Verizon Wireless products and services are available at more than 1,900 Verizon Wireless stores nationwide, including Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and stores within Circuit City, as well as at authorized retailers including Best Buy and participating RadioShack locations. Customers can also find information and purchase Verizon Wireless products and services online at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 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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