Verizon Wireless Completes Over $160 Million In Upstate New York Network Enhancements In 2007

ROCHESTER, NY — Verizon Wireless today announced the completion of more than $160 million in network enhancements in Upstate New York in 2007, including the addition of 100 new cell sites throughout the region. The company also began work on a project to bring wireless coverage to a nearly 50-mile stretch of Interstate 87 between Albany and Plattsburgh. Verizon Wireless is the only company working to bring wireless service to that area.

The regional investment is part of the more than $40 billion invested across the nation since 2000 when the company was formed. Local network enhancements include adding and upgrading cell sites to improve call handling capacity and quality, increase coverage, and expand wireless broadband services for business and consumer use.

"Investment in our network is an investment in customer satisfaction," said Marquett Smith, president of the company's Upstate New York Region. "An outstanding customer experience begins with connecting and holding calls, and customers continue to choose Verizon Wireless because we have the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network."

Bringing coverage to the Northway
In 2007, Verizon Wireless unveiled its plan to bring wireless service to the Northway corridor within the Adirondack Park by building 11 new cell sites in six communities. Four applications were submitted to the Adirondack Park Agency for review before year end and one was approved, the remaining three are awaiting approval. Applications for the remaining cell sites will be submitted upon completion.

Expanding BroadbandAccess coverage
The company expanded BroadbandAccess, its high-speed wireless data service, into the Utica market in October and doubled the size of its existing BroadbandAccess coverage areas in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Poughkeepsie markets. These expansions make service available along the entire length of the New York State Thruway from south of Buffalo to the New York City area. The service is also available in Binghamton, Elmira/Corning and Ithaca. The entire BroadbandAccess network was also enhanced to EV-DO Revision A technology in 2007, providing customers across the region access to e-mail, corporate data and the Internet at faster speeds.

Mobile professionals throughout much of New York State can now enjoy an untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, e-mail and critical business information residing behind corporate firewalls. V CAST entertainment services have transformed Verizon Wireless phones, allowing local consumers to carry a single multifunctional device providing access to downloadable music, high-quality videos, 3D games and turn-by-turn navigation services.

V CAST TV now playing in Syracuse
In December, Verizon Wireless launched its V CAST Mobile TV service in Syracuse — the first deployment of the service in Upstate New York — giving local residents the ability to watch real broadcast-quality television on select mobile TV-enabled handsets.

The company also continued to invest in redundancy capabilities designed to keep the network operating during power outages and in its rigorous quality assurance program — daily testing designed to analyze network reliability and assist the company in targeting improvements.

Verizon Wireless' investment in the Upstate New York region reflects its commitment to offer customers the most reliable wireless service available. The company's 'nation's most reliable wireless network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country.

These engineers drive 91 specially equipped vehicles over one million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

Verizon Wireless recently introduced its 30-day Test Drive, an industry first that lets customers experience its network virtually risk-free for 30 days. If customers are not satisfied with their experience and take their number to another carrier, Verizon Wireless will refund their money for calls, equipment, activation fee and taxes. 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.  

Editor's Note: Test Man Ride-Along Program:
If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact John O'Malley at 585-321-7264.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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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