Pine Bluff And Russellville Added To Verizon Wireless Network In Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable wireless voice and data network, today announced the addition of 29 new cell sites in Arkansas. The new sites will introduce digital voice and BroadbandAccess data services to Pine Bluff and Russellville, Arkansas.

The expansion includes 15 new cell sites in Pine Bluff, which will serve the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as well as the communities of Redfield and White Hall. In Russellville, 14 new cell sites have been added, providing expanded service to Arkansas Tech University, Lake Dardanelle and along Interstate 40 as far west as Highway 359. The new sites also provide improved wireless service to Atkins, Dover, London and Pottsville, Arkansas.

Verizon Wireless also expanded its network to Harrison in April and has invested more than $58 million in the state since launching service in December 2005.

This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year (more than $1 billion every 90 days) to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $37 billion over the last seven years into its national wireless network as part of its commitment to offer customers the most reliable service available.

"Growing our network to include Pine Bluff and Russellville is just another step in Verizon Wireless bringing the nation's most reliable network to Arkansas," said Luis M. Cruz, region president for Verizon Wireless. "As we continue to expand into new communities throughout the state, we are eager to demonstrate Verizon Wireless' superior customer service and network quality."

The launch of the Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) wireless broadband network means Verizon Wireless customers in Pine Bluff, Russellville and across the state can access the company's high-speed wireless network. Verizon Wireless' network allows customers to enjoy two flagship services: Broadband Access, the company's high-speed service with average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps; and V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that offers music and short content on demand, including cutting-edge 3D games, music videos, news, weather and sports.

Verizon Wireless will launch distribution in Pine Bluff and Russellville in the near future to make its full array of wireless devices, accessories and services available locally. Currently, the company operates retail stores in North Little Rock and Little Rock. Verizon Wireless products and services are also sold in Best Buy, Circuit City and Wal-Mart locations across Arkansas.

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

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 60.7 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 66,000 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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