Verizon Wireless Expands Network Coverage In Central Illinois With Addition Of 40 New Cell Sites

SCHAUMBURG, IL — An additional 200,000 residents in central Illinois, as well as customers traveling between Chicago and central Illinois, now have access to the quality and reliability of Verizon Wireless network service, with the recent completion of a major network expansion that includes 40 new cell sites.

The following communities in central Illinois now have access to Verizon Wireless network coverage:

• Dwight
• LaSalle
• Marseilles
• Mendota
• Oglesby
• Ottawa
• Paxton
• Peru
• Pontiac
• Princeton
• Spring Valley
• Streator

In addition, the new network coverage encompasses the travel corridors south of Chicago along U.S. Interstate 55 and U.S. Interstate 57, and west of Chicago along U.S. Interstate 39.

"This network expansion demonstrates our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless," said T.J. Fox, president—Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless.

Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry. During the fourth quarter of 2005, only 1.2 percent of its customers disconnected their service, which is well below the industry average.

"The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our industry-leading customer retention," Fox said. "Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation's most reliable network."

This network improvement in central Illinois is part of Verizon Wireless' continuous effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Illinois and across the country. Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion in the last six years -- $5 billion on average every year since the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. More than $151 million of this investment was spent in Illinois in 2005.

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, 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 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.

####