Verizon Wireless Expands Local Network With Fourteen New Cell Sites In Ross And Pike Counties, Ohio

CHILLICOTHE, OH — Verizon Wireless has installed fourteen new cell sites in Ross and Pike counties, enabling more area customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls, send and receive TXT, Picture and Video Messages, and download games and ring tones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

Network coverage is improved in the following areas:

• Southeast along U.S. Route 35 from Frankfort to Schrader;
• South along U.S. Highway 23 from Kingston to Piketon;
• Southeast along State Route 32 from Piketon to Givens;
• Southwest along State Route 104 from Waverly to Jasper;
• Southwest along U.S. Highway 50 from Chillicothe to Bainbridge

"Verizon Wireless is committed to improving our premier wireless voice and data network," said Roger Tang, president—Ohio/Pennsylvania Region, Verizon Wireless. "Our customers join us and stay with us because they are confident they'll receive reliable service."

Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry. During the second quarter of 2006, only 1.1 percent of its customers disconnected their service, which is well below the industry average.

These recent enhancements in Ross and Pike counties are part of Verizon Wireless' continuous effort to increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Ohio 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 $110 million of this investment was spent in Ohio in the first half of 2006.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 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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