Verizon Wireless Extends its High-Speed Internet Access with Hundreds of Wi-Fi Hot Spots

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider and operator of the nation's best wireless network, announced customers now have wireless access to broadband-like speeds to respond to e-mail, compile a presentation and much more in hundreds of hot spot locations throughout the nation. Verizon Wireless Wi-Fi service offers customers an option that complements its Express Network® and adds wireless data service coverage and speeds in high traffic, travel-related venues such as hotels and airports.

Verizon Wireless Wi-Fi allows customers the ability to wirelessly access large applications, and download large images and graphics in seconds, with peak speeds of 1.544 Mbps*. In keeping with Verizon Wireless' relentless dedication to network and service quality, customers also benefit from network monitoring, authentication and technical support.

Verizon Wireless' flexible pricing options are designed to meet consumers' and business customers' needs and are among the most competitive in the industry.

Customers traveling between hot spots within a 24-hour period - for example, from their hotel to the airport - can select the Daily Unlimited Access Plan for $6.99 for any 24-hour continuous period of use. Under this plan, customers can access one hot spot multiple times or more than one hot spot within a 24-hour period. A Monthly Unlimited Access Plan is also available for $34.99 per month.

Wi-Fi service will be billed directly to a customer's existing Verizon Wireless bill - eliminating the need for business customers to use their corporate credit card and later expense the charge.

To access Verizon Wireless' Wi-Fi service, customers need a laptop with either Wi-Fi capability or a separately installed Wi-Fi 802.11b PC card (not available from Verizon Wireless). To simplify the connection process, free software is available that will automatically detect when customers are in range of a Verizon Wireless hot spot location. The software offers access to Verizon Wireless' Wi-Fi service and gives data customers the ability to migrate between the Verizon Wireless nationwide Express Network and hundreds of Wi-Fi hot spots.

"Coverage, speed and simplicity are the top priorities when selecting a wireless data service provider - and this latest initiative combines the nation's largest and best wireless network with hundreds of high-speed hot spots located in frequently traveled locations like airports and hotels across the country," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer. "Our service offer also includes flexible pricing options, one simple bill, network monitoring and customer support to best meet the needs of our customers."

Verizon Wireless' Wi-Fi hot spots are powered by Wayport, Inc., the leading provider of nationwide Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless and wired high-speed Internet access. "Wayport's proven expertise in providing Wi-Fi service makes us a natural alliance for Verizon Wireless," said Dave Vucina, CEO of Wayport. "As Verizon Wireless customers increasingly rely on high-speed wireless service to meet their data needs, they will search out Wayport locations that offer Wi-Fi connectivity, and through this agreement, Verizon Wireless customers will gain immediate access to Wayport's neutral-host locations nationwide." To get started with Wi-Fi, contact a Verizon Wireless corporate sales representative, visit www.verizonwireless.com/wifi or call 1.800.2.JOIN.IN. For more information on Verizon Wireless business solutions, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  

* Actual speeds vary, depending on distance from the hot spot and number of users at the hot spot.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 34.6 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Wayport, Inc.
Wayport is the leading provider of high-speed Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless and wired Internet access in more than 650 locations nationwide: more than 565 major hotels, including such brands as Four Seasons, Loews, Wyndham, Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites; Wi-Fi wireless Internet access in eight major airports: Dallas-Fort Worth, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle-Tacoma, New York LaGuardia, San Jose, Austin-Bergstrom, Oakland and Buffalo Niagara; and Wi-Fi service as a pilot program at 75 McDonald's restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area. At airports, travelers also can take advantage of Wayport's 16 Laptop Lane airport business centers, which feature private offices with high-speed Internet access and other business services, as well as mobile devices and accessories for sale. To learn more, please visit www.wayport.net.  

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