Verizon Wireless Launches High Speed Network in Bismarck, North Dakota Area

BISMARCK, ND — Starting Monday, Dec. 15, Verizon Wireless customers in the Bismarck area will be able to reap the benefits of a significantly faster, more robust wireless experience with the expansion of the company's NationalAccess high-speed wireless data network. Besides Bismarck, other communities with the new service include Hebron, Glen Ullin, New Salem, Wilton, Center, Hazen, Mandan, Menoken, McKenzie, Sterling and Driscol. The high-speed network was launched in March in Fargo, Grand Forks and the Red River Valley area of North Dakota.

Verizon Wireless' NationalAccess network enhances all levels of wireless communication, from voice transmission, picture messaging, Internet browsing and email, to enterprise applications that give companies with mobile employees tools for increased productivity and efficiency. NationalAccess customers can expect speeds similar to or better than the speeds experienced by home PC users dialing into their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Average data transmission speeds of NationalAccess network are between 40 and 60 kilobits per second (Kbps) with bursts up to 144 Kbps.

"Being out of the office no longer means being out of the loop," said Viki L. Radden, president of Verizon Wireless' Great Plains Region. "With the flexibility that the NationalAccess service affords, businesses will benefit from increased worker productivity. In addition, business travelers no longer have to worry about finding a phone jack in order to remotely access important documents and emails since our high-speed network is available in more than 1,000 cities throughout the country."

Popular Picture Messaging Service Available

The high-speed network can be used to send and receive photos with Verizon Wireless' picture messaging service. Customers can easily snap a picture with their camera phone, enter a Verizon Wireless phone number or any email address, type a text message, add a sound and hit send to send a picture message to another Verizon Wireless customer, any email address or their virtual photo gallery at www.vzwpix.com.

The LGVX6000 camera phone, which is available for $79.99 on a two-year contract after a $70 mail-in rebate, features zoom control and three resolution settings with High (640X480). Picture Messaging is available on a pay-as-you go basis at $0.25 for each message sent or received, or customers who signup by Feb. 1, 2004, will receive unlimited picture messages for $4.99 per month through March 31. Starting April 1, this $4.99 monthly package will include 40 picture messages.

Data Equipment and Push to Talk Service

Verizon Wireless' NationalAccess network customers have a wide choice of equipment options, including PDAs, PC cards or phones that serve as a modem when combined with Mobile Office Connectivity kits. Smartphone voice and data devices are available for either Palm® or Microsoft® operating systems. The new Samsung SCH-i600 Smartphone includes comprehensive Windows Mobile^TM software in a sleek, clamshell phone design and retails for $399.99 on a two-year agreement, after a $100 instant rebate, on qualifying price plans.

The RIM Blackberry 6750, which retails for $349.99, is a wireless handheld device with "always-on" email and quick access to calendar, contacts and task lists. Two aircards are available for laptops, select PDA's and other computing devices. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 555, which retails for $199.99 and also enables voice, and the Verizon Wireless PC3220, which retails for $99.99. Pricing for the Blackberry and each aircard is based on a two-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate.

In addition, Verizon Wireless nationwide Push to Talk "walkie-talkie" feature service is now available in the Bismarck area. To utilize the service, customers need the Motorola V60p phone and to add Push to Talk service to qualifying price plans.

Data Price Plans: Customers Can Make the Call

Customers accustomed to measuring wireless use by the minutes used can take advantage of the NationalAccess network on most digital voice calling plans. In this scenario, all minutes are used for data or voice. Customers who are heavy data users can take advantage of tiered rate plans that are based on actual data usage starting at $35 per month for 10 megabytes up to a flat rate of $99.99 per month, with some restrictions, for unlimited NationalAccess network usage.

NationalAccess phones and devices are available at the Verizon Wireless Communications Store located at 311 S. 3rd St. in downtown Bismarck and at authorized Verizon Wireless agent locations.

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 36 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.  

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