Today is the Day to Make the Switch to Verizon Wireless

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Local number portability (LNP) goes into effect nationwide today — and Verizon Wireless encourages customers unhappy with their current wireless service to make the switch to the nation's most reliable wireless network. No matter where wireless customers live — a major city, sleepy suburb, bucolic farm or small town — customers coast-to-coast can now switch to Verizon Wireless and still keep their phone numbers. Wireless customers interested in switching to Verizon Wireless can easily do so in one of three ways: in person by visiting any of Verizon Wireless' 1,200 Communications Stores; via phone by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN; or online at www.verizonwireless.com.  

Since November 2003, when LNP went into effect only in the top 100 markets, Verizon Wireless has led the industry in demonstrating a commitment to providing quick and easy barrier-free porting for wireless customers. Verizon Wireless has installed the necessary technology and operational infrastructure to enable porting, invested in in-depth training of its customer service representatives, and has worked with other wireless (and wireline) service providers to make porting possible.

"Today is a red-letter date for all wireless customers across the country," said John Comisky, vice president-operations, Verizon Wireless. "Customers everywhere now have a choice; if they're not happy with their wireless service, they can do something about it without the hassle of getting a new phone number, which can be a major barrier holding customers back. Verizon Wireless is committed to helping wireless customers realize this choice and providing an easy, barrier-free porting experience."

With LNP, business customers now have the freedom to move entire corporate accounts to Verizon Wireless — freeing businesses from service providers that are not meeting their wireless voice and data needs. To facilitate large-scale porting, Verizon Wireless has specially trained enterprise account managers in place, who can design a custom plan for organizations with large employee bases, whether those employees are based at a single site or in multiple locations across the country.

Significantly more customers have switched to Verizon Wireless rather than ported to other service providers in the six months since LNP went into effect in the top 100 markets. The company attributes this success to its three major differentiators, for which it has received consistent recognition: its reliable national network, award-winning customer service and the best value of any wireless service provider. A sampling of accolades can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/awards.jsp.  

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 39 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. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

EDITORS NOTE:
A Verizon Wireless video news release, broadcast-quality B-Roll and still images about local number portability are available online. Log on to www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless to preview and request video segments, which can be received in newsrooms digitally, by tape or via satellite. The footage features customers porting their numbers, the porting process in Verizon Wireless stores, industry analyst comments, and special tips for consumers on how to port their numbers.

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