Verizon Wireless Invests $238 Million To Enhance New York Metro Area Network

ORANGEBURG, NY — Verizon Wireless today announced that it invested $238 million in 2008 to enhance its wireless network in Metro New York and New Jersey.

The investment, in New York City; Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties, and Northern and Central New Jersey, is part of more than $2 billion invested in the region and $50 billion invested across the nation since the company was formed in 2000. The following upgrades were completed in 2008:

• Activated 133 new and upgraded cell sites to improve coverage and increase capacity.
• Upgraded 800 existing sites, increasing 3G network capacity and coverage throughout the region.
• Deployed six portable Cells on Wheels (COWs) to boost coverage for special events including Pope Benedict XVI's visit to New York City and St. Joseph's Seminary in Westchester; the Belmont Stakes and the Presidential Debate at Hofstra University. COWs are fully-functional, generator-powered mobile cell sites that enhance coverage and capacity in a given area during special events or emergencies.

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2008, especially among small business and enterprise customers who want to leverage the company's high speed network and Mobile Broadband devices. In this difficult economy, business customers want the assurance of a reliable network and the ability to employ business applications such as Field Force Manager to help employees operate more efficiently.

During the fourth quarter, Verizon Wireless customers sent or received more than 90 billion text messages — more than double the number of text messages sent in the same period a year ago. Customers also sent 1.8 billion picture/video messages and completed 50 million music and video downloads during the quarter.

Verizon Wireless' most reliable network claims are based on tests conducted by the company's real-life test men and women, who monitor and test the network every day to help deliver a great customer experience. The quality testing teams drive specially equipped vehicles to test network performance, call quality and data network performance on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of up to seven other wireless carriers.

These network improvements are part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in New York and New Jersey and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed — $5.5 billion on average every year — to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

*Editors Note: Test Man Ride-Along Program
To set up an interview and ride-along test drive with your local Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Kimberly Ancin at 845-429-3839.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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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