Test Men and Women Keep Verizon Wireless Customers in Miami Talking

MIAMI, FL — To keep up with the demand for wireless service in Miami — where Verizon Wireless customers make more calls than in any other U.S. city — Verizon Wireless employs eight test men and women in Florida who are committed to the company's reputation for reliable network quality.

Because Miami customers rely on their wireless phones to stay connected and informed, Verizon Wireless has committed its Florida test men and women to testing its network as well as competitors' throughout Southern Florida with the goal of providing the best customer experience in wireless.

In Florida, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and women drive specially equipped vehicles on interstate, U.S. and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. census counts, to test to see that voice calls and data sessions are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make voice call attempts and data tests on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other wireless providers in Florida.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless' test men and women drive approximately 225,000 miles, make more than 750,000 voice call attempts and more than 1.4 million data tests quarterly on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other leading carriers.

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 — to ensure that Verizon Wireless will continue to stay ahead of growing demand for wireless voice and data services in Miami and throughout the state. Additionally, these improvements 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.

To see first-hand how the company tests its network and prepares for its busiest call cities including Miami, members of the news media are invited to ride along in one of the specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles with one of the company's real-life test men or test women. To arrange a test drive ride-along, please contact Chuck Hamby at 813-615-4803.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, 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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