Verizon Wireless Gives Georgians Something To Talk About: Company Proves "It's The Network" With Extensive Statewide Expansions In 2007

ALPHARETTA, GA — In its ongoing effort to provide the best wireless service, Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, announced today it invested more than $160 million in 2007 to enhance its digital network in Georgia. The enhancements included building 80 new cell sites across the state, upgrading existing cell sites, increasing coverage area, and expanding its high-speed wireless broadband network to new markets.

The company's Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network expansion included Banks, Brooks, Burke, Camden, Carroll, Chattooga, Clay, Cook, Dawson, Early, Elbert, Floyd, Franklin, Gilmer, Glynn, Gordon, Greene, Habersham, Hancock, Haralson, Hart, Heard, Jefferson, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Morgan, Pickens, Pierce, Polk, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Stephens, Taliaferro, Troup, Walker, Warren, Wayne, Webster, White, and Wilkes counties. In addition, all existing EV-DO markets including Atlanta, Athens, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, and Warner Robins were enhanced to Rev. A technology, which provides customers with access to e-mail, everyday corporate data, the Internet and Web-based applications, entertainment content, and the ability to upload files eight to nine times faster than before. Verizon Wireless customers can download files at speeds as much as ten times faster than customers of other wireless service providers that use different network technologies.

"Network reliability is the number one reason customers choose Verizon Wireless. Our investment in 2007 continues to demonstrate our commitment to delivering on that expectation," said Jeff Mango, president — Georgia/Alabama region, Verizon Wireless. "In 2008, we will continue to perfect our network so that our customers know they can depend on us every time they pick up their wireless devices."

With the enhanced network, Georgians have even more ubiquitous access to Verizon Wireless' two prime services: BroadbandAccess and V CAST. BroadbandAccess customers with Rev. A-compatible devices can now expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means customers can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail 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. V CAST is 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.

The company's continued investment in Georgia is part of Verizon Wireless' ongoing effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested nearly $44 billion since it was formed — $5.5 billion on average every year — to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

Editor's Note/Not for Publication: If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman (real, live examples of the character portrayed on the television commercials), please contact Caran Smith at (678) 339-4891 or Caran.Smith@verizonwireless.com.

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.

####