Verizon Wireless Continues to Expand its Network, Adds Capacity in Litchfield County, Connecticut

EAST HARTFORD, CT — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents and tourists, Verizon Wireless, the operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, continues to expand its wireless network in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The company has added four new cell sites, one in Barkhamsted, one in Plymouth, and two in Watertown. The new cell site in Barkhamsted increases coverage and capacity in the towns of Barkhamsted and New Hartford along Routes 44 and 181. The new site in Plymouth increases coverage and capacity in the towns of Plymouth and Thomaston along Routes 6, 262, and 8. The two new sites in Watertown increase coverage and capacity in the towns of Watertown and Waterbury along Routes 6, 262, 63, 73, and 8. These sites are in addition to the 13 sites the company activated in May when it expanded its service into Litchfield County.

These new cell sites are part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services, like two-way TXT messaging, Picture Messaging, downloadable applications including ringtones and games, and wireless Internet access.

'Test Man' Isn't Just a Commercial Character
The new cell site is also part of Verizon Wireless' commitment to offer customers the most reliable service available on the nation's largest wireless network. The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women who inspired the company's national advertising campaign. The engineers conduct more than 300,000 call attempts monthly on Verizon Wireless' and other national wireless carriers' networks while traveling over 100,000 miles of the most frequently traveled roadways nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles*.

"This network expansion in Litchfield County will allow us to continue to meet the growing need of local businesses and consumers' voice calls and data applications with our high-speed NationalAccess service and Get it Now^SM downloadable applications," said Bob Stott, president, Verizon Wireless New England.

For precious family moments or business-related needs, Verizon Wireless' Picture Messaging service allows customers to quickly and easily take photographs with a camera phone, add a message and voice recording, and send to friends, colleagues or an email address of their choice over the company's high-speed wireless data network.

NationalAccess is the company's national high-speed wireless data network, providing fast wireless Internet service, with bursts up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps). NationalAccess gives users Internet access, intranet access and traditional email functionality via a laptop. Users can expect average speeds between 40 and 60 kbps, significantly higher than speeds being produced by competing technologies and comparable to, if not faster, than what PC users get when using a dial-up Internet service.

Verizon Wireless invests more than $1 billion every 90 days in its nationwide network, to offer customers the most extensive wireless voice and data network in the United States. The network is built for reliability in emergencies - like power blackouts and storms - with redundancies in place to maintain services for customers when they need it most.

Note to editors and reporters:
Specially-equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the networks of all major wireless providers, using technology to generate phonically diverse "conversations." If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your locally-based Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Marcia Simon at 860-399-0191.

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 40 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.

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