J.D. Power And Associates Recognizes Verizon Wireless For 'Highest Call Quality' In Florida

BOCA RATON, FL — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, announced today that the company has been recognized for the Highest Call Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users in Florida by the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study^SM Volume 1.

The J.D. Power and Associates Wireless Call Quality Performance Study employs a call quality index based on seven criteria that impact overall carrier performance. The wireless phone subscribers surveyed were asked about their experiences with static/interference, connection on first try, voice distortion, echoes, dropped/disconnected calls, immediate voice mail notification and immediate TXT Message notification.

"This recognition is yet another recognition of Verizon Wireless' ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the best possible wireless service," said Mike Lanman, Florida region president. "Our industry-leading customer loyalty is strongly tied to the performance of our network-the nation's most reliable-- and our industry leading customer service."

The company's 'most reliable wireless 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 four million calls annually on the Verizon Wireless network and other national wireless carriers' networks while traveling more than one million miles across the nation. In Florida, test teams travel more than 100,000 miles across the state each year.

This testing is part of the company's aggressive network investment — now totaling more than $1 billion during the past five years in Florida alone — ensures that Verizon Wireless will continue to stay ahead of growing demand for wireless voice and data services like Picture Messaging and Internet access throughout the state. Additionally, these improvements fortify Verizon's network to ensure operations during circumstances such as the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.

The Verizon Wireless network in Florida withstood the impact of eight hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 and remained on-air while landlines and other wireless providers faltered. In Florida, nearly 80 percent of all Verizon Wireless sites have their own back-up generator — in addition to battery power — to keep the network running even when the power supply is interrupted.

Florida's 2006 hurricane season officially begins on June 1.

Test Man Ride-Along Program
The specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test seven wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse "conversations" and data transmissions. Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, please contact Chuck Hamby at 813-615-4803 or via email at chuck.hamby@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, 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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