Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network, Adds Capacity In Southeast Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local customers, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network in southeast Missouri. The company recently enhanced each of its cell sites in southeast Missouri to improve coverage and increase call capacity on its wireless network throughout Cape Girardeau and in surrounding communities.

The network improvements were part of a $91 million investment in 2004 to improve the company's wireless network in the Kansas/Missouri Region. The enhancement of these cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in southeast Missouri for the company's voice and data services, such as TXT Messaging, Picture Messaging, NationalAccess wireless Internet access and Get It Now® ring tones, games, productivity applications and more.

'Test Man' Isn't Just a Commercial Character
The cell site improvements also are part of Verizon Wireless' commitment to offer customers the most reliable wireless service available in the United States. The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and women who inspired the company's national advertising campaign. These test men and women are Verizon Wireless engineers who make more than 300,000 test calls monthly on Verizon Wireless' and other national wireless carriers' networks while they travel more than 100,000 miles nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned test vehicles.

"These improvements will ensure that our customers in southeast Missouri have superior network coverage," said Mark Crumpton, president—Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless. "During the past four years, we have invested more than $16 billion in our national network. We are committed to offering customers the most extensive and reliable wireless voice and data network in the United States."

Test Man Ride-Along Program for the News Media
Specially-equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the networks of as many as eight wireless providers, using a mobile laptop computer 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 Cheryl Bini Armbrecht at 314-920-4922.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 42.1 million voice and data 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 preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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