Verizon Wireless Invests In Rocky Mount, North Carolina To Meet The Company's High Call Quality Standards

ROCKY MOUNT, NC — Verizon Wireless, the only major carrier with a 30-day network test-drive pledge that pays for calls if a customer isn't satisfied and switches to another carrier, announced today that it has made significant strides to increase service in Rocky Mount, N.C. Verizon Wireless customers will immediately see enhanced wireless coverage in the following areas:

• Coverage on Highway 301 between Rocky Mount and Sharpsburg and Elm City
• Coverage on Highway 64 between Spring Hope and Nashville, N.C.

The network enhancement enables more Verizon Wireless customers to use their wireless phones and PDAs to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; and download games and Ringtones while enjoying superior wireless coverage.

"Offering reliable wireless network coverage to all residents in Rocky Mount and surrounding communities is a top priority," said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless' Carolinas/Tennessee region. "We are committed to investing in eastern North Carolina so that our customers know they can depend on our network."

In an industry first, Verizon Wireless is putting customers in the driver's seat to take the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network for a spin. Verizon Wireless is the only major carrier with a 30-day network Test Drive^™ pledge that pays for calls if a customer is not satisfied with Verizon Wireless and switches to another carrier.

The enhancement in and around Rocky Mount is part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in North Carolina. In 2006, Verizon Wireless invested $146 million to build, maintain and expand its high-quality network, and since 2000, the company has spent $719 million in North Carolina to ensure network reliability and expanded coverage and capacity.

* Network details at www.verizonwireless.com/bestnetwork.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 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.  

EDITORS NOTE: Test Man Ride-Along Program for the News Media
Specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the Verizon Wireless network as well as the networks of as many as seven other wireless providers, using a mobile laptop computer to generate phonically diverse "conversations." If one of your reporters is interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your locally-based Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Carly Culbertson.

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