Maine Residents to Benefit From Significant Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

AUGUSTA, ME — In an effort to continue to provide the best wireless service for Maine residents and visitors to the Pine Tree State, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network with fourteen new cell sites. Since January, Verizon Wireless has activated 39 new cell sites - expanding wireless coverage across Maine from the southernmost tip to north of mid-state.

The new sites, five in Lincoln County, five in Androscoggin County, three in Kennebec County, and one in Sagadahoc County increase coverage and capacity.

Lincoln County

• Damariscotta: Provides new coverage along US-1, and to the majority of the town of Damariscotta, connecting coverage with the new Newcastle and Nobleboro sites to the east and north
• Newcastle: Provides new coverage along US-1 and ME-129, connecting coverage with the existing Edgecomb site to the east and new Damariscotta site to the west
• Nobleboro: Provides coverage along US-1 and into the southern half of the town of Nobleboro, connecting coverage with the new Damariscotta and Waldoboro sites to the southwest and east
• Waldoboro (2 sites): Provides new coverage along US-1, ME-235, and ME-220, as well as the western portion of the town of Waldoboro. The sites connect coverage with the new Nobleboro site to the west and the existing Warren site to the east

Androscoggin County:

• Greene (2 sites): Provides new coverage along US-202 and into the town of Greene and along ME-132 in the town of Wales. The sites connect coverage with existing sites in Greene to the northeast and southwest, Auburn Lake to the southwest, and Monmouth to the northeast
• Lewiston: Provides new coverage along Hwy-126 and US-202, connecting coverage with existing sites in Auburn to the west, Auburn Lake to the north, and Lewiston to the east
• Poland: Provides new coverage along portions of ME-26 and ME-121 as well as into downtown Mechanics Falls, connecting coverage with existing sites in Poland to the south and Oxford to the north
• Sabattus: Provides new coverage along portions of I-95 (Maine Turnpike), ME-9, ME-126, ME-132, ME-197 and to the western half of the town of Sabattus, connecting coverage with the new Lewiston site to the southwest and the existing Litchfield site to the northeast

Kennebec County:

• Augusta: Provides new coverage along ME-17, ME-105, and US-202, connecting to existing sites in Augusta
• China (2 sites): Provides new coverage along ME-3, ME-32, and US-202. The sites connect coverage with each other and with existing sites in Vassalboro to the north and west and in Palermo to the east

Sagadahoc County:

• Richmond: Provides new coverage along I-295, ME-197, US-201 and in the southern portion of the town of Richmond, connecting coverage with existing sites in Bowdoin to the south and West Gardiner to the north

In addition to these new sites, the company turned-on a dozen new cell sites in February and more than 10 in April, resulting in nearly 40 new sites in Maine in the past six months. This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year (more than $1 billion every 90 days), including well over $300 million in New England in 2005 alone, to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion-on average $5 billion a year-into its national wireless network over the past six years as part of its commitment to offer customers the most reliable service available, including wireless data services such as Picture Messaging, TXT Messaging, and the company's exclusive V CAST service.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the first quarter of 2006 as the company added 1.7 million net new customers. Verizon Wireless is the leader in wireless customer loyalty. In the first quarter of 2006, the company posted a record-breaking low customer turnover rate of 1.18%, well below the rate reported by the other major wireless carriers.

The company's 'most reliable network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country who inspired the "can you hear me now" national advertising campaign. These engineers drive 95 specially equipped vehicles some 225,000 miles quarterly on Interstate, US and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 750,000 voice call attempts and more than 1.4 million data tests quarterly on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of other carriers.

Note to Editors: To learn more about how Verizon Wireless scientifically researches and tests its network as well as that of its competitors, reporters may contact Wendy Bulawa at 617.851.3426 to arrange a drive test with a true-life Verizon Wireless Test Man or Woman.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. The company 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. 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 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.  

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