Verizon Wireless Expands Digital Service in Hawaii

MAUI, HI — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for Hawaii residents, Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, has expanded its digital, high-speed network in Hawaii by adding a new cell site North of Wailea on Maui. The new site on Maui provides improved wireless coverage and capacity on the Kihei (Southeast) coast that is heavily concentrated with timeshare units and condominiums.

"This network expansion allows us to meet the growing need of local businesses and consumers for reliable voice calls and data applications," said Mark Yamauchi, Verizon Wireless director of Hawaii sales.

In 2003, Verizon Wireless invested more than $9 million to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network in Hawaii, and safeguard network reliability. Each year, Verizon Wireless invests on average about a billion dollars every 90 days in its national network, constantly improving and expanding what is already the largest, most reliable nationwide wireless network in the United States.

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. They 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.

Verizon Wireless' network reliability is also supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures, which have proven particularly valuable during severe weather or other emergencies. Standard Verizon Wireless network reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations. The company also operates a fleet of mobile generators and temporary cell sites, or cells-on-wheels, ready for deployment.

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 40.4 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. ^{<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />}

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