Verizon Wireless Completes 3G Network Boost Across Florida

TAMPA, FL — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has completed enhancements to its most advanced 3G high-speed wireless network (EV-DO Rev. A) throughout Florida, allowing customers to browse the Internet, download music, send e-mail and multimedia messages, and access other advanced wireless services more reliably and at even faster broadband speeds.

The enhancements to the EV-DO Rev. A network – which stands for Evolution-Data Optimized Revision A – took nearly two years, and entailed installing the most advanced hardware and software on thousands of cell sites in the Verizon Wireless network in Florida, as well as updating and optimizing technology in five Verizon Wireless regional network switching facilities throughout the state.

“We know 3G, EV-DO and Rev. A sound like part of a technical alphabet soup,” said Frank Wise, network director for the Verizon Wireless Florida region. “But here’s what it means for Florida customers: the fastest, most advanced and most reliable wireless broadband services are now available on a wireless network that covers about 25,000 square miles and 95 percent of the state’s population.”

The EV-DO Rev. A enhancements are part of the company’s $250 million network investment in Florida during the past 18 months. Since 2000, the company has spent nearly $1.8 billion on network enhancements in the state, and more than $45 billion throughout the nation. Verizon Wireless invests more in its network than any other wireless service provider and already has announced that the company is working on its Long-Term Evolution – what some are calling 4G – network technology.

This recent investment helps provide high-speed access to advanced services such as V CAST – which allows customers to stream video clips, play cutting-edge 3D games and download full-song tracks over-the-air; VZ Navigator (SM) – a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, gas station locations and pricing; as well as the newest, most reliable Push to Talk technology and network available.

EV-DO Rev. A technology also allows the highest speed wireless connection to BroadbandAccess, the company’s business data service, which allows customers to wirelessly access their e-mail and calendars, the Internet and other information anytime, anywhere via a high-speed secure connection. BroadbandAccess offers average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits 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.

The EV-DO Rev. A enhancement and ongoing network investment also helps Verizon Wireless customers enjoy the most reliable wireless coverage and clearer call reception.

“We know how important it is for Floridians to be able to count on their wireless phones everyday and every call,” said Pam Tope, Florida region president. “So we will continue to invest to provide the strongest and most reliable network for wireless consumers.”

In addition to the EV-DO Rev. A enhancements, other Verizon Wireless network investment and reliability highlights in Florida include:

• The construction of more than 50 new wireless transmission sites so far in 2008.
• About 85 percent of all Verizon Wireless transmission sites have their own on-site generators and new expanded fuel tanks in case of power failures and other emergencies.
• The start of construction on a high-tech $50 million switching facility in Southeast Florida that will expand and reinforce wireless network capacity and help enhance services for customers throughout the region.
• Completing a $20 million enhancement to the company’s Tampa Bay switching facility.

Verizon Wireless network technicians (who serve as the inspiration for the famous TV Test Man) traveled more than 100,000 miles across the state so far this year in special vehicles equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers to measure the quality of voice and data calls on Verizon Wireless and other carriers.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 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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