Merrill and Malin, Oregon, Receive 3G Coverage, Three New Cell Sites From Largest U.S. Carrier-Verizon Wireless

BELLEVUE, WA — Residents, businesses and visitors to Merrill, Malin and surrounding areas in Southern Oregon are enjoying improved service thanks to three new Verizon Wireless cell sites completed during the first quarter of 2009. The cell sites are located south of Klamath Falls in Klamath County. They expand 3G wireless coverage south of the California border enabling access to the Web, e-mail, text and picture messaging, plus music and video.

This network enhancement is part of the company's consistent, aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company's voice and data services. Verizon Wireless spent $107 million to enhance services and coverage in Oregon during 2008.

Nationally, the company has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed in 2000. The result is the nation's largest, most reliable 3G network that powers services such as Mobile Broadband and e-mail. Businesses of any size can tap into the power of Mobile Broadband, enabling users to connect to the Internet wirelessly while on the go to download music over-the-air and access e-mail or corporate data. For example, customers can download a one 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.

Small business owners interested in Mobile Broadband and other wireless solutions, can visit www.verizon.com/business/ where they will find:

• An online forum to share experiences and connect with other business owners
• Access to Small Business Specialists in each Verizon Wireless store
• Discounts and promotions to help businesses stretch their budgets
• Summaries of mobile solutions like e-mail, wireless Internet and Push to Talk service
• 24/7 tech support

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. Nationally, these test men and women drive about 90 specially equipped vehicles almost 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts, to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

*Editors Note: Test Man Ride-Along Program
To set up an interview and ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Kelley Evans at 425-452-5493.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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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