Verizon Wireless Sponsors Quest To Create The World's Largest Corn Maze

LINCOLN, NE — Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and data network, is sponsoring a Nebraska farmer’s efforts to create the world’s largest corn maze and be recognized in the Guinness World Records book.

The 54.428 acre maze is part of Benson Farms, which is located in Denton, Neb., just southwest of Lincoln, the state’s capital city. For the past four years, owner Wayne Benson has created large corn mazes on his property, but this is the first official attempt to surpass the world record of 40.489 acres held by a maze created in Dixon, Calif. in 2007.

Benson says the application for the record attempt has been accepted by officials with the Guinness World Records and validation documentation is in the process of being submitted. He expects an answer on the world record before the maze opens in late September.

The image on the maze depicts Verizon Wireless’ test man along with the company logo and tagline “America’s Most Reliable Wireless Network.” While Benson invites the public to “come out each year and get lost,” he acknowledges that maze walkers do use their wireless devices while navigating the cornfield.

“This year there are four different maze trails, from easy to very difficult, and people again will use their cell phones to call for help, or even to light their way along the trails,” said Benson. “Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. wireless provider, is a great fit as a sponsor for our world record attempt. And this year, we are adding signs in the corn maze where people can text message for clues as they navigate through the field.”

Nancy Clark, president-Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless said, “The corn maze is a fun entertainment option in the fall for residents and visitors to Nebraska. The maze sponsorship also is a great way to celebrate our statewide presence as we prepare to convert our Alltel-branded markets to Verizon Wireless in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Verizon Wireless has a growing presence in Nebraska, having opened a customer service center in Lincoln in 2007, and with the acquisition of Alltel, serving an expanded customer-base throughout the state.

The test man was chosen as the maze design to highlight Verizon Wireless’ continual investment to increase capacity and augment the quality of its wireless voice and data in Nebraska and across the country. The company has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed – more than $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since 2005, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $107 million to enhance its Nebraska network.

The Maze at Benson Farms is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 25 to Nov. 1. For more information about the maze, visit www.bensonfarms.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 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

####