Verizon Wireless Completes Nearly $100 Million Network Investment In Kansas And Missouri

OVERLAND PARK, KS — Verizon Wireless announced today it has completed a nearly $100 million enhancement to its Kansas and Missouri voice and data wireless networks in 2005.

The enhancement includes adding and updating cell sites and other technologies to improve call quality, increase coverage areas, and enable a variety of advanced services such as TXT and Picture Messaging, V CAST, and BroadbandAccess.

V CAST enables customers to view crystal clear graphics for games and short video content on demand, and BroadbandAccess enables mobile professionals to use their laptops wirelessly to tap into applications and tasks with typical user download speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps).

The network investments, which total nearly $100 million in Kansas and Missouri, is key to maintaining strong area coverage, even during major events like Kansas City Chiefs home games and races at the Kansas Speedway.

Since the beginning of 2005, the network investments in Kansas and Missouri have resulted in improved coverage in many areas including:

• Kansas City—Verizon Wireless improved coverage around Rockhurst High School at 91st Street and Stateline Road, and The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe. Additionally, coverage and capacity were improved in Independence around Lee's Summit Road and 30th Street in Belton, and at 95th Street and Antioch Street in Johnson County. Capacity has been improved in several areas throughout Johnson County.
• Topeka—Coverage has been added along Interstate 335 south from Topeka between Osage and Wabaunsee counties. Coverage also was added for residents of Melvern, Valley Falls and Nortonville.
• Wichita—Residents of Wichita will experience greater coverage while traveling between U.S. Highway 54 and State Highway 96, along State Highway 42, and between Augusta and Douglas, along U.S. Highway 77. Capacity additions in El Dorado, St. Marks, Augusta and Derby also were completed in 2005.
• Lawrence—Coverage and capacity improvements were made in south Lawrence around Wakarusa Drive and in west Lawrence around 6th Street. Additionally, BroadbandAccess and V CAST coverage has been added in these areas. Enhancements also have been made in Baldwin City.

"Providing customers with the nation's most reliable network in the wireless industry means making these large-scale investments," said Mark Crumpton, president- Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless. "We've proven that these efforts pay off with strong network performance here in Kansas and Missouri based on the testing conducted by our real life test men and women, and we'll continue to devote resources to serve the region as well as the entire nation."

Verizon Wireless is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer satisfaction by providing a positive wireless experience to its more than 49 million customers. Nationally, the company has invested $25 billion over the past five years to improve and expand what is already the most reliable wireless network in the United States.

For more information about 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 51.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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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