Verizon Wireless Investing $14 Million In Eastern Washington During 2001

SPOKANE, WA — During 2001, Verizon Wireless is spending $14 million to enhance and expand its network to continue to provide superior wireless service in the rapidly growing Eastern Washington area. The expenditure is part of the company's $4 billion investment to improve its extensive, nationwide wireless network this year.

"Verizon Wireless has more wireless customers than any of the other competitors in the Pacific Northwest," said Kelley DeLaney, President of Verizon Wireless' Pacific Northwest Region. "Those customers have discovered that Verizon Wireless provides the largest, most advanced, nationwide wireless network. We're continually improving the quality and coverage of our network to maintain that competitive advantage."

This year's capital investment continues Verizon Wireless' expansion of geographic coverage in Eastern Washington, enables more simultaneous calls on its enhanced CDMA digital network, improves signal delivery strength, and creates the capacity for future services such as next generation wireless data applications.

Verizon Wireless operates two cellular networks under one system - traditional analog cellular and digital service using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology - enabling customers with either service to rely on the company's network quality and consistent, dependable performance.

Verizon Wireless' nationwide digital wireless network covers more than 75 percent of the company's potential customer base. In the Pacific Northwest, Verizon Wireless customers have digital call quality and features available along I-5 from the Canadian border to the Aberdeen and Olympia area; from Vancouver, Washington to Eugene, Oregon, and in the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 27 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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