Verizon Wireless Makes Multi-Million Dollar Investment To Change The Wireless Landscape In Eastern North Carolina

Wilmington, NC — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, announces that the company will begin offering service today in several eastern North Carolina markets: Wilmington, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids, Goldsboro, New Bern and Jacksonville. Verizon Wireless invested over $330 Million in North Carolina last year to service new and existing North Carolina markets and built 280 cell sites to cover 13,247 square miles and reach 1.7 million people in eastern North Carolina.

"Verizon Wireless made history today for it's the largest ever deployment to reach so many consumers at one time," said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee region president. "We are excited to give eastern North Carolina residents the opportunity to experience first-hand the nation's most reliable wireless network and easily access dedicated sales and customer service professionals ready to serve them."

Consumers will be able to purchase the latest voice and data products at the following Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across eastern North Carolina:

• Goldsboro — 1202-B North Berkeley Blvd.
• Greenville — 305 SE Greenville Blvd and Circuit City (3060 S Evans St.)
• Jacksonville — 1122 Western Blvd and Circuit City (1171 Western Blvd)
• Rocky Mount — 1228 Home Depot Plaza and Circuit City (1271 Cobb Corners)
• Wilmington — Independence Mall (3500 Oleander Dr.) and Circuit City (5325 Market St.)
• Partnering retailers will also sell Verizon Wireless products and services at over forty points of distribution from Rocky Mount to Jacksonville.

Verizon Wireless offers the most comprehensive wireless network in the country and is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service to its 51.3 million customers. The company's test vehicles travel 100,000 miles of the most frequently traveled roadways to gather important data to analyze Verizon Wireless' network quality and assist the company in targeting improvements to its network.

Over the last six years, the company has invested $30 billion - $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 wireless services.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com.

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.

####