Verizon Wireless Expands Digital Service On The Big Island And Kauai, Hawaii

HONOLULU, HI — In a continuing effort to provide the most reliable wireless service for Hawai'i residents, Verizon Wireless has expanded its digital network in the state by adding new cell sites on the Big Island and Kauai. The new cell site on the Big Island expanded wireless coverage to the Hawai'i Volcano National Park, a major tourist attraction visited by 2 million people every year. Additionally, a new cell site on Kauai expands coverage to the Pacific Missile Range facility at Barking Sands and links up to Waimea, south of Kekaka extending coverage north to Polihale Beach Park and south to Kekaha.

"This network expansion allows us to meet the growing need of local residents and visitors for reliable voice calls and data applications as they travel around the islands," said Mark Yamauchi, Verizon Wireless director of Hawai'i sales.

In 2004, Verizon Wireless invested more than $31 million in Hawai'i to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network in the islands, and safeguard network reliability. Each year, Verizon Wireless invests on average about a billion dollars every 90 days in its national network.

The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by the 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 owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 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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