Verizon Wireless Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Communications Store In Wilmington, North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, kicks-off the official grand opening of the company's newest store in Wilmington, NC, May 14th-20th, 2006. The new Verizon Wireless store, located at 3500 Oleander Drive in Westfield Independence Mall, at the entrance between Bear Rock Cafe and Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 18 at 4 p.m. with Wilmington's city and chamber representatives. This location is the first Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Wilmington since the company launched service last month in the area and in several other eastern North Carolina markets.

The new store features the full range of Verizon Wireless products and services and is fully staffed for customer service and technical support, allowing customers to speak with Verizon Wireless' highly trained representatives about all their wireless needs.

The new store also features:

• A top-of-the-line self-service center with bill payment kiosk
• An informational video displayed on an LCD screen provides customers with information on the latest handsets and accessories, the Verizon Wireless network, wireless tips, roadside assistance, customer service, account management options, and much more.

To show Verizon Wireless' commitment to the communities where our customers and employees live and work, Verizon Wireless will recognize the recent donation of $5,000 from the company's HopeLine® program to The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. With this donation, Verizon Wireless is making it possible to develop, print and distribute Domestic Violence "Best Practices" manuals that provide domestic violence agencies across the state with a tool to train new advocates.

"We are incredibly grateful for Verizon Wireless' continued support of the NCCADV," says Mary Beth Loucks-Sorrell, Executive Director of the NCCADV. "The 'Best Practices' manual allows us to offer the same level of services and have consistency when training new advocates, including our New Hanover County service provider."

"The support we have received from the Wilmington community has been overwhelming. Verizon Wireless is thrilled to be here and offer Wilmington residents the nation's most reliable wireless network," said Wilmington Store Manager Jo Cooper-Kisiah. "We are also excited to support the NCCADV in the fight against domestic violence."

Verizon Wireless is also offering customers one month of free access on calling plans of $59.99 or higher and waived activation fees during the weeklong grand opening celebration. WMNX-FM will be broadcasting live on Monday, May 15th, from 12-2 p.m. Store visitors can register to win an LGVX9800 handset, a retail value of $369.99, throughout the weeklong celebration.

Store hours for the new Wilmington store are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Store manager Jo Cooper-Kisiah will lead the Wilmington sales team, and the store phone number is 910-392-2214.

Additional Verizon Wireless products and services can be found at the Verizon Wireless kiosk inside the Circuit City located at 5325 Market St in Wilmington.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About HopeLine
HopeLine is a phone-recycling program exclusive to Verizon Wireless that uses wireless services and equipment to assist victims of domestic violence. HopeLine collects used wireless phones, regardless of carrier, make, model or technology. The used phones will be refurbished and recycled or sold. Verizon Wireless uses the proceeds from the sale of any donated phone to fund non-profit agencies and to purchase wireless phones for victims of domestic violence. Older, unsalvageable phones are disposed of through an EPA-certified salvage company.

About The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) is a community of agencies and individuals who serve battered women and their children is committed to building a society in which our shared beliefs and institutions discourage violence against women. NCCADV was founded in 1981 with 21 participating programs and now includes over 90 member programs. Areas of support to member programs include technical assistance, training, information about public policy initiatives, and activities to increase public awareness activities.

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