Verizon Wireless Invests $123 Million To Enhance NY/NJ Metro Area Network In First Half Of 2009

ORANGEBURG, NY — Verizon Wireless today announced it has invested more than $123 million to enhance its wireless voice and 3G high-speed data network in Metro New York and New Jersey in just the first six months of 2009.

The investment in New York City; Long Island; Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties in New York, and Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Sussex and Somerset counties in New Jersey, is part of more than $2.2 billion invested in the region and $50 billion invested across the nation since the company was formed in 2000. Local network enhancements during the first part of this year include:

• Activating 40 new cell sites to improve voice and data coverage and increase capacity including one to serve fans in Yankee Stadium.
• Adding 12 new sites to increase 3G high speed data capacity allowing customers to access advanced wireless service more reliably and at even faster broadband speeds.
• Deploying a portable Cell on Wheels (COW) to boost coverage and capacity for the Belmont Stakes in June.
• In addition, four New York Metro area technicians – real life test men and women – traveled some 12,000 miles in the first half of 2009 in test vehicles each equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers to measure the quality of calls on Verizon Wireless and other carriers networks.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on,” said Pat Devlin, regional president. “Our 3G high-speed Mobile Broadband network is the largest and most reliable in the United States and we expect to commercially launch our Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation network in up to 30 markets in 2010.”

With the improved network coverage, customers can use their wireless devices to send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; view high-quality videos; and access VZ Navigator’s turn-by-turn directions, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls. The Verizon Wireless network also is built for reliability during emergencies, such as power outages and extreme weather conditions, with redundancy capabilities in place to maintain service for New York/New Jersey customers when they need it the most.

In 2008, Verizon Wireless spent a total of $238 million to stay ahead of growing demand for the company’s voice and data services in Metro New York and New Jersey. The company also continues to enhance and expand its customer service capabilities to service its growing customer base. Verizon Wireless remains the industry leader in customer loyalty for 19 consecutive quarters, reporting the lowest monthly customer turnover, or churn, of all the national wireless carriers. For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VzW_NYMetro

Editors Note: Test Man Ride-Along Program:
If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Lynette Viviani at 973-968-7929.

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.

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