Verizon Wireless Embarks On "Express Network," Previewing 1XRTT High-Speed Data

Bedminster, NJ — Verizon Wireless announced the beginning of its advanced high-speed wireless data services and Internet preview with the launch of its Express Network. The preview will be for a broad base of enterprise customers, as well as application developers, to test the advanced high-speed data rates of 1XRTT.

Gary Schulman, President of the Wireless Data & Internet Division of Verizon Wireless, said, "Our preview of the Verizon Wireless Express Network gives a broad cross-section of customers and developers the environment to understand how the Verizon Wireless 1XRTT advanced wireless network can help their clients and workforces to gain efficiencies and overall productivity through the use of various devices. "

Real-Life Data Speed is the Measure of Success

During the Express Network preview, Verizon Wireless is measuring actual speeds attained by those using the service. The company expects to consistently deliver between 40 and 60 kbs (kilobits per second) to customers, significantly higher than speeds being produced by competing technologies, when commercial service is offered. Schulman noted, "When it comes to real people using the actual network, the critical factor is speed. Hypothetical maximum throughput figures are interesting, but the proof is in the pudding. We are already seeing significantly better speeds than those using alternative technologies."

CDMA to 1XRTT: Network Migration Path a Plus

Ted Hoffman, Vice President - Technology Development of Verizon Wireless, said the ease with which the company will migrate its CDMA network to 1XRTT will be a major benefit. "Unlike carriers who must first engineer expensive and time-consuming technological overlays to their networks, Verizon Wireless is following a migration path that provides significant benefits in terms of both time to deploy and costs to accomplish," he said.

The Express Network preview, now being conducted in the Philadelphia area, is an opportunity for a diverse group of customers and developers to use the high-speed, reliable and user-friendly network that Verizon Wireless has been engineering in preparation for 4^th Q 2001 rollout. Verizon Wireless will roll out the Express Network to many areas of the nation in 4^th Q 2001, showcasing Verizon Wireless' family of Express services including Mobile Office Express and Mobile Web Express.

Express Network preview participants are testing the functionality of mainstream applications, including popular e-mail and business applications, proprietary enterprise software, customized graphics packages, accessing company Intranet and external Internet services, commercially available information services, instant messaging, and streaming video. Participants are involved in a variety of businesses, such as: consumer products, financial services, computer software and hardware, business consulting, industrial supply, government, legal and information services. Developers, at the same time, are testing new applications that are expected to become available for future commercial deployment.

Express Network preview participants will access Verizon Wireless' new high-speed network using a wide variety of commercially available laptop computers and PDAs.

The Express Network preview is a culmination of network development, software and hardware testing and internal trials. Lucent Technologies is a primary infrastructure provider for the Express Network preview, and Sierra Wireless is providing AirCard 555 modems for the participants.

Schulman said, "Individual and enterprise customers have been anticipating the roll-out of true high-speed data and Internet access. Verizon Wireless is committed to leading the way to reliable network coverage at high speeds that will deliver on that promise."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28.7 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 97 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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