Verizon Wireless Network Ready To Show Off Its Skills At Basketball's East Vs. West Challenge In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV — With festivities surrounding this year's basketball challenge tipping off in Las Vegas the weekend of February 16, the Verizon Wireless network is game-ready for the anticipated additional wireless call volume when thousands of basketball fans flock to town.

Verizon Wireless' cell sites surrounding both pre-game events at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Sunday's game located at the Thomas and Mack Center are ready to handle the increased call volume as more than 18,000 basketball fans converge in Las Vegas to catch all the hoop action. Verizon Wireless customers can rely on the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and can talk, text and send picture messages to friends for each exciting slam dunk and buzzer beating shot.

"Throughout the year thousands of people visit Las Vegas for major conferences, entertainment shows, and sporting events like Sunday night's basketball game. Our customers rely on us to keep them connected with friends, family and colleagues both here and at home," said Tony Heyman, president — Southwest region for Verizon Wireless.

"Customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us because we are committed to providing the best overall wireless experience. We work to ensure that our network stands up to its excellent reputation for everyday use and during major events like this."

In Nevada, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $260 million since 2000 — part of its $35 billion nationwide network investment over the last seven years — to expanded coverage, capacity and capabilities and to add new services.

Hoop fans who can't wait for tip off, can visit Verizon Wireless' Get It Now^® Virtual Store to access the top selling basketball video games right from their wireless phones. Customers with V CAST and Mobile Web 2.0^SM-capable phones can also check out all of the latest basketball news and information.

For more information, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 65,000 employees nationwide. The company 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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