Verizon Wireless Increases Cell And Data Services To Sullivan, Tennessee And Scott, Virginia County Residents

KINGSPORT, TN — Residents and visitors to East Tennessee's "All American City" nestled between the Appalachian and Great Smoky Mountains can make and receive wireless calls with ease thanks to Verizon Wireless' statewide network investment effort.

Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network with the addition of six new cell sites. As a result, network coverage and capacity have been enhanced in the following areas:

• Duffield, TN
• Downtown Kingsport, TN
• Clinchport, VA (US 23/58 toward TSA VA-1)
• Scott County, VA (towns of Clinchport and Duffield)

The new cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in Tennessee for the company's voice and data services. These new cell sites are the direct result of network studies designed to improve Verizon Wireless network performance. Verizon Wireless has regularly invested more than $5 billion nationally each year since its inception — and more than $200 million in Tennessee last year alone — to expand and upgrade its nationwide wireless network.

The company's real-life test men and women, who inspired the company's national advertising campaign, are Verizon Wireless engineers who make more than 3 million test calls nationwide on Verizon Wireless and other wireless carriers' networks, riding in specially-equipped, company-owned test vehicles and traveling more than one million miles a year — about half the distance from the earth to the moon. In fact, the company's most reliable wireless network in the nation claim is based on these network studies.

Verizon Wireless has also introduced a new program, Test Drive, that lets customers experience the nation's most reliable network virtually risk-free for 30 days. If the customers are not completely satisfied with their Verizon Wireless experience, they can take their number to another carrier and Verizon Wireless will refund their money for all calls made, equipment, activation fee and taxes.

Verizon Wireless is the nation's wireless leader in customer loyalty, based on company retention and turnover rates published by the largest providers; owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network and the only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States; and the wireless company at the top of more third-party surveys of customer satisfaction.

EDITORS NOTE: Test Man Ride-Along Program for the News Media
Specially-equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the Verizon Wireless network as well as the networks of as many as seven other wireless providers, using a mobile laptop computer to generate phonically diverse "conversations." If one of your reporters is interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your locally-based Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Tara Healy at 864-233-3776, ext. 14.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 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 65,000 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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