Palm Coast, Florida Enjoys Expanded High-Speed Digital Wireless Service

PALM COAST, FL — In addition to having some of the state's top beaches and golf communities, Palm Coast residents, visitors and businesses now enjoy enhanced coverage and services on the nation's most reliable wireless network. Verizon Wireless has boosted its digital network here by constructing a new advanced digital site near the beach along Highway A1A.

The new site processes both voice calls and wireless data traffic — particularly in the areas of Hammock Dunes, Grand Haven, Palm Harbor and Hammock Beach Resort — and represents Verizon Wireless' continuing investment and growth in Florida. Verizon Wireless has spent more than $300 million in the state during the past 18 months alone to further expand and enhance its all-digital network, including a new $25 million switching facility to handle calls in Northeast Florida.

This aggressive network investment — now totaling more than $1 billion in Florida and $30 billion nationally during the past six years — ensures that Verizon Wireless will continue to stay ahead of growing demand for wireless voice and data services like Picture Messaging and Internet access throughout the state. Additionally, these improvements fortify Verizon Wireless' network to ensure operations during circumstances such as the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.

The Verizon Wireless network in Florida withstood the impact of eight hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 while other communication networks were often adversely affected. In Florida, nearly 80 percent of all Verizon Wireless sites have their own back-up generator — in addition to battery power — to keep the network running even when the power supply is interrupted.

"This new site in Palm Coast can help improve public safety in many emergency situations," said Mike Lanman, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless. "But every day it also allows us to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors calling family and friends, and so much more."

Test Man Ride-Along Program
The specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test seven wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse "conversations" and data transmissions. Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, please contact Chuck Hamby at 813-615-4803 or via email at chuck.hamby@verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, 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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