North Kihei And Kapalua Residents And Maui Visitors Now Enjoying Improved Wireless Service In Hawaii

HONOLULU, HI — Maui residents and visitors can now make more calls from more places thanks to recent digital network upgrades by Verizon Wireless that increase network coverage and capacity. A new cell site in North Kihei improves coverage along Piilani and Mokulele Highways, as well as Maalaea Harbor. In addition, recent upgrades have enhanced coverage in Kapalua, home of the annual Mercedes Golf Championship.

"This network expansion is the latest in a series of network enhancements we have completed this year in communities across the islands. Our investment in north Kihei and Kapalua, along with earlier enhancements this year in Kaloko Industrial Park and Alii Drive on the Kona coast, as well as the Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and our footprint expansion on Kauai of Barking Sands and Waimea are helping us fulfill our commitment to meeting the wireless needs of kama'aina and visitors for reliable voice and data services in our state," said Mark Yamauchi, Verizon Wireless director of Hawai'i sales.

In 2005, Verizon Wireless invested more than $22 million in Hawai'i to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network in the islands, and safeguard network reliability. Each year, Verizon Wireless invests on average about a billion dollars every 90 days in its national network.

The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by the real-life test men and test women who inspired the company's national advertising campaign. They 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.

Verizon Wireless' network reliability is also supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures, which have proven particularly valuable during severe weather or other emergencies. Standard Verizon Wireless network reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations. The company also operates a fleet of mobile generators and temporary cell sites, or cells-on-wheels, ready for deployment.

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, 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 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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