Verizon Wireless Working To Deliver Reliable Wireless Service In Maine

WOBURN, MA — Verizon Wireless, long recognized for providing the nation's most reliable wireless network, has been at work delivering wireless service in Maine in regions where the company owns spectrum. In May 2004, the company launched wireless service in York County/Southern Maine, only a year after acquiring the licenses that cover that region. In York County alone, nearly 20 cell sites have been constructed and 'turned on' since launching service there, with more improvements planned.

"Verizon Wireless is constantly improving its network across the country, including right here in Maine," said Richard Enright, director of engineering, Network — Verizon Wireless New England. "Last year, we spent $330 million in New England to add network capacity and coverage and our plan is to continue this effort and investment to ensure the best service possible for our customers."

With additional major enhancements scheduled to continue through 2005 and beyond, Verizon Wireless has already invested more than $1 billion since 2000 in network upgrades across New England alone, while recent acquisitions of additional spectrum in middle and northern Maine will allow the company to continue its build-out of wireless service in those areas as well.

"We will not rest in our mission to continue to deliver the nation's most reliable wireless network," said Bob Stott, regional president, Verizon Wireless. "Our focus as a company has always been to continue to provide the best wireless voice and data network in the nation for our customers. That's why we invest more than $1 billion every 90 days nationwide to make the best network even better, and to continue to launch new products and services."

Since 2001, the company has more than doubled its wireless network capacity in New England to better serve customers' voice calls, and support advanced data services, like picture messaging and high-speed wireless Internet access and email.

Verizon Wireless' reputation for having the most reliable national wireless network is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and women who inspired the company's national television advertising campaign. These baseline engineers drive more than 100,000 miles per month nationwide analyzing our network and providing quality assurance testing, making 300,000 monthly test calls of both the company's network and those of the competition's as well.

Editor's Note: For journalists interested in learning more about Verizon Wireless' build-out of service in Maine, we encourage you to schedule a ridealong with our true-life 'Test Man.' Network engineers drive more than 100,000 miles per month analyzing the service and providing quality assurance testing. For more information, contact Wendy Bulawa at 617-851-3426.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 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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