Verizon Wireless Turns On First Northway Cell Site In Upstate New York

ALBANY, NY — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has activated the first of 13 planned sites that will eventually close a more-than-50-mile coverage gap along Interstate 87 – the Northway – between Albany and Plattsburgh. The new site in North Hudson will provide coverage along approximately six miles of I-87 from the Schroon/North Hudson town line to approximately 3.5 miles north of Exit 29. Three other sites in Lewis, Schroon Falls, and Warrensburg are currently under construction and are expected to be operational by year-end.

“Activating the North Hudson site is an important step forward in our efforts to bring wireless service to the Northway,” said Marquett Smith, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region. “We’re pleased with the progress we’re making to close this coverage gap and are committed to getting the remaining sites built and in service as quickly as we can.”

The Northway project is part of the more than $100 million the company plans to invest in its Upstate New York Region network in 2008 – the eighth consecutive year the company will invest more than $100 million in the region. This investment brings Verizon Wireless’ total network investment in Upstate New York to more than $1 billion since 2000.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 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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