Rutherfordton, North Carolina Residents To Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

RUTHERFORDTON, NC — Continuing to provide superior voice and data service to customers across the country, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network*, has improved voice and high-speed wireless internet coverage in one of North Carolina's oldest cities, Rutherfordton. As a result of the company's investment in equipment and wireless technology, Verizon Wireless customers will immediately see improved wireless coverage in and around Highway 74 near the town of Rutherfordton.

This improved area also has access to Verizon Wireless' national Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Rev. A wide-area network that provides high-speed business and entertainment-based services on wireless phones, laptops and other wireless devices with Verizon Wireless' BroadbandAccess and V CAST multimedia services. Today, over 86 percent of North Carolina residents have access to Verizon Wireless' high-speed broadband service, an increase of nearly 68 percent since 2006.

The network enhancement enables more Verizon Wireless customers to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; and download games and ringtones while enjoying clearer reception. "By continually investing in North Carolina, we can maintain excellent call quality and provide the best wireless service available," said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless' Carolinas/Tennessee Region. "Customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us, because they know they'll get wireless service they can depend on."

Verizon Wireless is the only major carrier with a 30-day network Test Drive pledge that pays for calls if a customer is not satisfied with Verizon Wireless and switches to another carrier.

Verizon Wireless builds its network for reliability during emergencies. For example, 100% percent of Verizon Wireless' cell sites in North Carolina are prepared for a natural disaster or other emergency, which includes back-up battery power at every site, generators at switching facilities and many cell sites, a fleet of mobile generators and cells on wheels.

The company has invested more than $45 billion in its wireless network over since the company was formed in 2000. Of that amount, nearly $890 million has been invested in North Carolina, helping Verizon Wireless stay ahead of the growing demand for its services, like the new Nationwide Unlimited Anytime Minute calling plans, adding new capabilities like V CAST Mobile TV and improving and maintaining the network year-round in preparation for hurricanes and other natural disasters.

To meet customers' growing demand for wireless products and services in this growing community, Verizon Wireless operates the following retail location located on 276 Butler Road in nearby Forest City.

For more information about Test Drive from Verizon Wireless or any of our products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

* Network details at www.verizonwireless.com/bestnetwork.

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 Carly Culbertson.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 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.

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