Wireless Phone Users On University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Campus Now Experience Even Clearer Reception And Fewer Dropped Calls

CHAMPAIGN, IL — Students, faculty and staff on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U of I), and visitors to the university, will benefit from a new Distributed Antenna System that Verizon Wireless has activated on campus.

The new system expands network coverage and increases capacity throughout the entire campus, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; and download games and Ringtones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

"This network enhancement reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless," said T.J. Fox, president — Illinois/Wisconsin region, Verizon Wireless.

"The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our industry-leading customer retention," Fox said. "Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation's most reliable network."

The network enhancement on the U of I campus is part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Illinois and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion since it was formed — $5 billion on average every year — to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. More than $146 million of this investment was spent in Illinois in 2006.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 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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