Verizon Wireless Invests Nearly $96.5 Million In 2007 To Enhance Minnesota Network

MINNEAPOLIS — Verizon Wireless announced today it invested nearly $96.5 million in 2007 to enhance its network in Minnesota. The enhancements included building new-and upgrading existing-cell sites, expanding its high-speed wireless broadband network to new markets and improving the existing wireless broadband network speeds.

"In 2008 we will continue to make improvements and expand our network in Minnesota," said Nancy B. Clark, president—Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. "Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless."

Verizon Wireless has invested $432.5 million over the past seven years on improvements to its network in Minnesota, including the following upgrades made in 2007:

• Twenty-six new cell sites were activated statewide to improve network coverage and capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; download music, games and ringtones; and view high-quality videos while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
• Equipment on 52 existing cell sites throughout the state was upgraded, which further improved network capacity.
• Eighteen permanent backup generators were installed at Minnesota cell sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis.
• The company expanded its high-speed wireless broadband network to 117 cell sites across Minnesota, expanding the coverage area around Minneapolis/Saint Paul, in St. Cloud and Moorhead. The company also enhanced its existing broadband network with faster upload and download speeds by adding Revision A technology to the company's Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) broadband network. Verizon Wireless business customers, residents and visitors to these cities, and to Duluth, are enjoying two prime services:
• BroadbandAccess, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that equips Verizon Wireless' business customers with a truly untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, the Internet, email and critical business information residing behind their companies' firewalls; and
• V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.
• With Verizon Wireless' EV-DO Rev. A network, users can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. That means they can download a 1 Megabyte email attachment-the equivalent of a small PowerPoint^® presentation or a large PDF file-in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

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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