Verizon Wireless Purchases Cal North Wireless In Northern California

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless announced today it has purchased ownership of Cal-One Cellular LP, operating under the Cal North Wireless brand, which will expand Verizon Wireless' network footprint to include Del Norte, Humboldt, Siskiyou and Trinity counties in northern California. Financial terms are not being disclosed.

The purchase includes Cal North Wireless' spectrum license and network assets of 49 cell sites and related network equipment. The license covers a population of 214,000 people in the four northern California counties, as well as a 70-mile stretch of Interstate 5, several national and state forests and Humboldt State University.

Verizon Wireless intends to complete the network conversion by the fall and begin offering an extensive line of wireless voice and data products to Cal North Wireless' more than 18,000 customers. Select Verizon Wireless handsets and accessories will be available in Cal North Wireless' stores later this month. Verizon Wireless plans to integrate Cal North Wireless' CDMA network into Verizon Wireless' 1xRTT CDMA network in phases, adding capacity and installing high-speed data capabilities by year-end 2006. Cal North Wireless customers will receive a letter from Verizon Wireless in the coming weeks explaining their service transfer to Verizon Wireless.

"This is an important acquisition for existing Verizon Wireless customers in the Redding area, many of whom frequently travel through Cal North Wireless' former coverage area," said Rich Garwood, president-Northern California/Nevada region, Verizon Wireless. "We also look forward to completing the network integration to offer the benefits of America's most reliable network to the Cal North Wireless customers who will be joining us."

Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion — on average $5 billion a year — since the company was formed six years ago to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and add new capabilities. Verizon Wireless has invested $3.7 billion in its network in California since the year 2000 when the company was formed. In 2005 alone, the company's network investment in California exceeded $740 million.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 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.  

####