Verizon Wireless Continues 2006 Georgia Network Expansion

ALPHARETTA, GA — In its ongoing effort to provide the best wireless service in Georgia, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, continues to expand in Georgia with network enhancements in 20 cities during the second quarter of 2006, including 15 new cell sites. During the first quarter, the company also opened four new retail stores.

As a result of Verizon Wireless' continued commitment to provide the best network in Georgia, network coverage and capacity have been enhanced in the following areas:

New Cell Sites - 

• Atlanta — expanded the BroadbandAccess high speed network coverage and enhanced capacity in the Briarcliff and Morningside areas. 
• Augusta — (two sites) expanded coverage and capacity in the Augusta area along Interstate 20 and the Wheeler Road area. 
• Barnesville — expanded coverage and capacity west of the city of Barnesville. 
• Centralhatchee — expanded coverage along Highway 27 and in Centralhatchee.
• Columbus — enhanced in-building coverage to the retail and dining section of Columbus. 
• Dallas — (two sites) expanded coverage in Paulding County along Highway 61, Highway 120, and Highway 120 Connector and in the town of New Georgia. 
• Hamilton — expanded coverage and enhanced capacity along Highway 27 north of Columbus. 
• Macon —expanded coverage and enhanced capacity along I-475, Key Street, and the Bloomfield residential areas in Southwest Macon. 
• Marietta — expanded coverage along the northwest corner of Interstate 285 along Powers Ferry Road and enhanced capacity to the Interstate 75 River, Windy Hill and Northside area. 
• Martin — expanded coverage along Highway 17 between Lavonia and Toccoa. 
• Morgan — expanded coverage to the town of Morgan. 
• Newnan — expanded coverage and enhanced capacity in the Summer Grove area. 
• Statesboro — expanded coverage on the west side of Statesboro residential area including Forest Heights Country Club
• Woodbury — expanded coverage and capacity to the city of Woodbury and along SR85.

Network Capacity Enhancements - 

• Augusta — improved capacity along SR 104 and on the northwest side of the city. 
• Carrollton — improved capacity in the Carrollton area. 
• Ellijay — improved capacity in east Ellijay and along US 76. 
• Manchester — improved capacity in the Manchester area. 
• Macon — improved capacity and in-building service for the Eisenhower Crossing retail shopping  center, Macon State College and enhanced coverage along Interstate 475. 
• Sandersville — improved capacity in the Sandersville area. 
• Statesboro — improved capacity in the northeast area of Statesboro. 
• Summerville — improved capacity in the Summerville area. 
• Warner Robins — improved capacity in the Warner Robins Air Force Base area. 
• Washington — improved capacity for the cities of Washington

In addition to the network investments, Verizon Wireless Georgia opened four new retail stores in the second quarter in Carrolton, Lawrenceville, Lithonia and Columbus.

Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion - on average $5 billion every year - since the company was formed six years ago to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new capabilities. To date in 2006, the company has invested more than $63 million in network expansion and enhancement across Georgia and Alabama to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless products and services in this area, including the company's high speed wireless network.

The Verizon Wireless high-speed wireless broadband network has typical user speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps). BroadbandAccess provides mobile workers access to their corporate information just as if they were attached via a high-speed wired connection, but with the freedom of true mobility. V CAST, also available on the EV-DO network, is the nation's first 3G wireless multimedia service for consumers. V CAST delivers crystal clear short content on-demand, 3D games and music videos to V CAST capable phones from leading and respected news and entertainment sources and other innovative content providers.

"Our customer base just continues to grow across Georgia and we are committed to do everything we can to deliver a convenient, superior customer experience wherever Georgians want to use their Verizon Wireless phone," said Jim McGean, Verizon Wireless Georgia/Alabama region president.

The company's 'most reliable network' claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country who inspired the "Can you hear me now? Good®" national advertising campaign. These engineers conduct more than 300,000 call attempts monthly on Verizon Wireless' and other national carriers' networks while traveling over 100,000 miles a month in specially equipped company-owned test vehicles. 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 Caran Smith at (678) 339-4891 or caran.smith@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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