Consumers In Southern Minnesota Communities Now Can Choose Verizon Wireless' Service

ROCHESTER, MN — Verizon Wireless today announced it has "flipped on the switch" for network operations in southern Minnesota, offering local coverage and nationwide service plans, as well as other wireless products and services in several communities south of the Twin Cities.

The new Verizon Wireless network coverage is adjacent to the company's current coverage in the Twin Cities area and includes, in part, the following travel corridors and communities:

• South of the Twin Cities along U.S. Highway 52 to Rochester;
• West from Rochester along U.S. Highway 14 to Owatonna;
• North from Owatonna along Interstate 35, through Faribault to the Twin Cities;
• South of Saint Paul along U.S. Highway 61 to Red Wing.

Verizon Wireless acquired the new coverage area and cell sites as part of a national transaction with Qwest Communications in 2004 that included a total of 62 markets. The new Verizon Wireless network coverage offers service to a population of 217,000.

Since last March, Verizon Wireless has invested $11.5 million to upgrade the newly acquired cell sites to meet company standards and to conform to its CDMA 1xRTT network. All cell sites have been equipped with backup batteries, and more than 90 percent of them have permanent generators to ensure network reliability during power outages.

"We look forward to offering the quality and value of Verizon Wireless service to these new communities in southern Minnesota," said Nancy B. Clark, president—Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. "To ensure that we're providing the highest level of service to our newest customers, we will open a Verizon Wireless Communications Store early next year in Rochester."

Verizon Wireless service is currently available at two authorized retail locations in Rochester: Access Wireless, located in Apache Mall at U.S. Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 14; and Best Buy, located at 4050 U.S. Highway 52 North. In Faribault, Verizon Wireless service is available at Wireless World, located at 1620 U.S. Highway 60.

Consumers also can visit any of the Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or Circuit City locations in the Twin Cities area, visit www.verizonwireless.com/rochester or call 877-2BUY-VZW. Businesses interested in Verizon Wireless service plans can call 866-899-2862.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 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.

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