Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network With Seven New Cell Sites In Manhattan

ORANGEBURG, NY — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for residents, commuters and visitors in Manhattan this summer, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network with seven new cell sites. In the past 30 days, a total of 17 new cell sites have been activated in the five boroughs of New York City.

The new Manhattan cell sites will improve network coverage and capacity in the following areas:

• On the East Side in the area of the Willis Avenue Bridge and Yankee Stadium
• Along the Harlem River Drive from W 125^th to 138^th Streets
• Malcolm X. Blvd from W 138-145^th Street
• Fort Washington area
• East 115^th Street to 121^st Street between Park and First Avenues
• On the West side along the West Side Highway, Riverside Drive and 165^th Street
• In Harlem along Broadway from W 122^nd to W 129^th Streets
• From 9^th to 7^th Avenues between W12^th and 15^th Streets

The company has invested $1 billion in its New York Metro wireless network in the past three years --$475 million last year alone - to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company's voice and data services, like two-way TXT Messaging, Picture Messaging and the new V CAST service which delivers crystal clear short content on-demand, 3D games and music videos to wireless phones over the company's high speed broadband wireless network.

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the second quarter as the company added a record 1.9 million net new customers, the largest quarterly customer gain in the history of the industry. Verizon Wireless now serves 47.4 million customers nationwide.

Verizon Wireless' high-speed BroadbandAccess data network is the fastest, widely available broadband wireless network in the nation, offering customers average speeds between 400 kbps - 700 kbps, comparable to DSL speeds. The service, now available in much of the New York Metro area and in more than 50 markets across the nation, now is available throughout Manhattan. High-speed wireless provides customers with Internet access, access to corporate intranets and traditional e-mail functionality via laptop computers and personal digital assistants.

The company's investment in its wireless network also is part of Verizon Wireless' commitment to offer customers the most reliable service available in the nation. 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 a month nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned quality test vehicles.*

*Test Man Ride-Along Program
Specially-equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the networks of six wireless providers using a mobile laptop computer to generate calls. If you are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Lynette Viviani at 973-283-9228.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice network, serving 47.4 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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