850,000 Wireless Phones Collected by Verizon Wireless' HopeLine Program in 2005

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BEDMINSTER, NJ — Wireless customers supported victims of domestic violence in 2005 by giving a record number of no-longer-used wireless phones to Verizon Wireless' HopeLine® program. During the year, more than 850,000 phones were collected at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, sporting events, concerts and corporate phone drives across the country - an 18 percent increase over 2004 and nearly double the number of phones collected in 2003 - bringing the total number of phones collected to more than 2.5 million since HopeLine's national phone collection and recycling efforts began in 2001.

Of the 850,000 phones donated, about 10,000 phones were refurbished and given with airtime to victims of domestic violence in shelters across the country, while nearly 275,000 phones were recycled in an environmentally safe way. The remaining phones were refurbished and sold by a third party, with the proceeds used to fund cash grants to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs. In 2005, Verizon Wireless donated more than $750,000 in grants to domestic violence agencies and organizations in local communities around the country.

"We are encouraged to see consumers continuing to recycle their no-longer-used wireless phones after they purchase new phones," said Denny Strigl, president & CEO, Verizon Wireless. "These HopeLine donations not only help victims of domestic violence by providing a means of communication, they also help the environment by keeping the phones out of landfills. We will continue our efforts to collect wireless phones throughout this year and encourage wireless customers to continue their support of HopeLine, and especially those victims and survivors who benefit most from it."

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue. The HopeLine program gives customers an environmentally safe option for disposing their no-longer-used wireless phones, while providing a simple way to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims.

HopeLine collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider, and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them in an environmentally safe way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program benefit victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies, providing essential communication tools of wireless phones and wireless services, and financial grants.

Since 2001, consumers have donated more than 2.5 million phones to HopeLine and more than 500,000 phones have been recycled. Verizon Wireless has distributed nearly $2 million in cash grants to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs across the country. For more information on Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program or for instructions on donating a wireless phone, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 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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