Verizon Wireless Invests More Than $41 Million In Network Enhancements Across South Carolina Since January 2008

GREENVILLE, SC — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has spent more than $41 million to enhance voice and data services and coverage throughout South Carolina in the first six months of 2008, bringing the total network investment to more than $641 million since 2000. The investment is part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in South Carolina for the company's superior voice and data services and to help ensure the South Carolina network is ready when severe weather hits.

Major areas of improvement across South Carolina since January include:

• Significant enhancements to the Lexington area, including Highway 6 from the Lake Murray dam to U.S. Route 378, Hope Ferry Road and U.S. Route 378 from Interstate 20 to Highway 6.
• Enhanced network coverage along Wells Highway and State Route 59 in the Seneca area.
• Enhanced coverage in areas of Beaufort County including the town of Port Royal, along Highway 21 between Beaufort and St. Helena Island and Parris Island.

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 superior wireless coverage.

Part of the $41 million plus investment has been toward the statewide activation of its high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network. The enhanced network provides even higher-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 95 percent of South Carolinians have access to Verizon Wireless' high-speed broadband service, which gives residents access to high-speed wireless Internet no matter if they live in large cities like Columbia and smaller towns like Laurens.

"You can count on Verizon Wireless to provide dependable wireless and data services in almost every part of the state," said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless' Carolinas/Tennessee region. "We remain focused on continued broadband deployment throughout South Carolina, and we are pleased to give residents reliable options for wireless Internet."

Network tests in the first half of 2008 indicate that the investment to further boost network strength is working for customers. Teams of "Test Man" technicians perform the testing daily (the inspiration for the famous TV Test Man ad campaign) and have traveled approximately 11,182 miles across the state so far this year. The test teams ride in special vehicles loaded with computers, wireless phones and other equipment to measure and ensure strength and reliability versus other carriers.

To meet customers' growing demand for Verizon Wireless' products and services across the state, Verizon Wireless has opened two new retail locations in the past six months at the following areas:

Lexington
5596 Sunset Boulevard
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 808-2009

Spartanburg
119 East Blackstock Road
Spartanburg, SC 29301
(864) 576-4044

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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