Ethisphere Institute Honors Verizon Wireless' Government Contractor Ethics Program

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless, owner and builder of the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, has been recognized as having the "Best Overall Government Contractor Ethics Program" by the Ethisphere Institute. The rankings will be published in the first quarter 2008 issue of Ethisphere Magazine, available nationally in late March.

Verizon Wireless was ranked first in the following categories: Best Private Company Ethics Program, Best Ethics Program Overall, Best Ethics Training and Communications Programs, and Codes of Ethics and Business Conduct.

Researchers from the Ethisphere Institute analyzed more than 1,000 federal government contractors as part of the 2008 ratings. The ratings take into account new Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules regarding U.S. government contractors' ethics programs, key Federal Sentencing Guidelines "hallmarks" for effective compliance programs, and industry best practices. The Institute scored companies based on their ethics programs, which were reviewed through an online questionnaire, along with information voluntarily provided by the participants. A random audit and review provided verification of quality assurance of responses.

"We are honored to be recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as a recipient of its 'Best Overall Government Contractor Ethics Program,'" said Michael Maiorana, vice president of government sales for Verizon Wireless. "Verizon Wireless is committed to providing government agencies with Federal, State, and Local contract-compliant reliable service and support that keeps officials connected to their organizations."

The Institute's rankings were based on an objective analysis of four categories:

• Code of ethics and business conduct
• Leadership and tone from the top
• Internal control systems
• Ethics training and communication programs

"In undertaking this exhaustive research and ranking we have found the opportunity to highlight companies that have taken proactive measures to implement the proper controls, culture and programs to communicate company values and prevent unethical behavior," said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. "They should be a shining example to others in the industry."

Ethisphere Magazine is a national publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. For a complete listing of the Government Contractors ratings, go to www.ethisphere.com. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services for government agencies, visit www.verizonwireless.com/government or contact a Verizon Wireless Government Sales Representative at 1-800-293-3048.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.

About The Ethisphere Institute
The Ethisphere Institute, with the support of its keystone partners LexisNexis, the Practising Law Institute, Red Flag Group, the National Association of Corporate Directors, Trace International, the Global Reporting Initiative, Corpedia, and associated membership group, the Ethisphere Council, was founded in 2006. Dedicated to the research, creation, and sharing of best practices in business ethics, compliance, sustainability, and corporate governance and citizenship, the Council is comprised of over 200 institutions and corporations, including Deutsche Telekom, Time Warner, Avaya and Kraft. Ethisphere Magazine is the quarterly publication of the Institute, created to illuminate the important correlation between ethics and profits. The motto of the Institute is "Good. Smart. Business. Profit." and more information on membership can be found at www.ethisphere.com.  

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