Verizon Wireless Completes $135 Million in Upstate New York Network Enhancements in 2006

ROCHESTER, NY — Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, today announced it has completed nearly $135 million in network enhancements in Upstate New York including the addition of 60 new cell sites throughout the region.

The investment is part of more than $35 billion invested across the nation in the past seven years. Local network enhancements included adding and upgrading cell sites to improve call handling capacity and quality, increase coverage and expand wireless broadband services for business and consumer use.

BroadbandAccess, the company's high-speed wireless data service, was launched in the Buffalo, Albany, Poughkeepsie, Binghamton, Elmira-Corning and Ithaca markets in 2006, joining the Rochester and Syracuse markets where the service was launched in 2005.

The company also continued to invest in redundancy capabilities designed to keep the network operating during power outages and in its rigorous quality assurance program — daily testing designed to analyze network reliability and assist the company in targeting improvements.

"Investment in our network is an investment in customer satisfaction," said Ken Dixon, president of the company's Upstate New York Region. "An outstanding customer experience begins with connecting and holding calls, and customers continue to choose Verizon Wireless because we have the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network."

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during 2006 as the company set new records for net new customers — more than 5.4 million during the first three quarters of the year — and improved upon its customer retention rates, the best in the industry.

During 2006 the expansion of the company's Evolution Optimized (EV-DO) third generation (3G) wide-area network fueled an explosion of new high-speed broadband services for consumers and businesses. Mobile professionals throughout much of New York State now can enjoy an untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, e-mail and critical business information residing behind corporate firewalls. And VCAST entertainment services have transformed Verizon Wireless phones allowing local consumers to carry a single multifunctional device providing access to downloadable music, high-quality videos, cool 3D games and even turn-by-turn navigation services.

The company's investment in its Upstate New York region reflects its commitment to offer customers the most reliable wireless service available. The company's 'most reliable network' reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test. Test men and test women are Verizon Wireless engineers who drive specially equipped vehicles some 220,000 miles quarterly on Interstate, US and state highways as well as major and secondary roads. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 750,000 voice call attempts and more than four million data tests quarterly on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of other carriers. The engineers are the inspiration for the company's memorable national advertising campaign.

"As the fastest-growing wireless company with the highest loyalty rate, it is important we continue to make significant investments in our network to stay ahead of the growing demands of our customers," Dixon said. "In 2007, we will continue to invest in our network and deliver the reliable and innovative services customers want."

Editors Note: Test Man Ride-Along Program:
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 John O'Malley at 585-321-7264.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 57 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 60,000 employees nationwide. The company 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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