Verizon Wireless Invests More Than $100 Million In 2008 To Enhance Alabama Network

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Verizon Wireless announced today it invested more than $100 million in 2008 to enhance its network in Alabama. The enhancements included building new and upgrading existing cell sites, increasing coverage areas and expanding its high-speed wireless broadband network.

“Our highest customer loyalty* is driven by our best, most reliable network, extensive broadband network and overall best wireless experience for customers,” said Jeff Mango, president – Alabama/Georgia region, Verizon Wireless. “We have led the industry in this regard, and we will continue to deliver America’s largest, most reliable 3G network here in Alabama.”

In the fourth quarter of 2008, coverage was enhanced and expanded in the following Alabama cities, benefiting businesses, travelers and residents in the area:

Anniston

• Two new cell sites expand coverage and capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Highway 21 and the business district for the city of Anniston, as well as in the town of Bynum and the Anniston Army Depot.
• Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the campus of Jacksonville State University.

Ashville
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network in St. Clair and along Highway 22 and Highway 24.

Attalla
This new cell site provides enhanced capacity and coverage for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network in the area of Etowah High School, Attalla Super Wal-Mart, Attalla Industrial Park and the Camp Sibert subdivision.

Ballantrae
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to the Weatherly residential complex and Ballantrae Golf Resort area.

Birmingham
Network enhancements provide additional Mobile Broadband data capacity for the downtown central business district and the junction of I-65 and I-20/59 as well as the Princeton Baptist Hospital and Legion Field.

Clio
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network in the town of Clio and along Highway 10 and Highway 51.

Courtland
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data services in the community of Courtland Alabama along SR 33 and Highway 72A.

Crane Hill
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data coverage in the Crane Hill community as well as portions of Eastern Smith Lake.

Decatur

• A new cell site provides enhanced capacity and coverage for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Highway 24 and the Beltline Road intersection.
• Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network for the northwest Decatur area and along SR 20/US 72A.

Dothan
Network enhancements provide additional coverage and capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data services in the downtown area of Dothan as well as in the city of Daleville, the Newton area along Highway 231, and the Brannon Stand Road area west of Dothan.

Florence
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data services for the city of Florence and Highway 43, including Antioch, Hough Road, Cox Creek and Center Hill.

Gadsden
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data services in the city of Hokes Bluff.

Hanceville
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network along I-65 and in the communities of Black Bottom, Colony and Dodge City in southern Cullman County.

Hartselle
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data service in the city of Hartselle and along Highway 31.

Holly Pond
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data service in the town of Holly Pond as well as Highway 278 in east Cullman County.

Hollywood
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data service in the town of Hollywood and along Highway 71.

Hoover
Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data service for the Galleria Mall area, Lorna Road, I-459, I-65 and Highway 31.

Hueytown
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to the Virginia Mines community in west Jefferson County.

Huntsville

• Two new cell sites provide enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Winchester Road and the Three Forks community.
•  A new cell site enhances capacity and in-building coverage of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network for the west Huntsville area, including the Marriott Hotel and nearby U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum.
• A new cell site provides enhanced coverage of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Highway 431 from I-20 to Hollis Crossroads in Cleburne County.
• Network enhancements provide additional capacity for the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband network for the Redstone Arsenal.

LaFayette
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to the town of LaFayette and on Highway 431.

Leesburg
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the town of Leesburg and along Highway 68.

Madison
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the city of Madison and I-565.

Leighton
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the town of Ne Smith, including Highway 157 and Highway 101.

Oak Grove
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to the Oak Grove and Concord areas of West Jefferson.

Oakman
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to the town of Oakman and on Highway 69 in southwest Walker County.

Oneonta
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in AL 1, including the towns of Beltline, Blount Springs, Lacon, Addison and Oneonta.

Opelika

• Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network for the residential and commercial areas of northeast Opelika and along I-85 and Highway 431.
• A new cell site enhances capacity and coverage of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network north of Opelika along Highway 431 and along I-85 between Opelika and Bowery.

Parrish
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network to Jasper, Highway 269 and Highway 78.

Powell
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Highway 69 in northeast Walker County.

Rainbow Mountain
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the city of Madison and Highway 72.

Rainsville
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Highway 75 and Highway 40, including the communities of Sylvania and Henagar.

Sipsey
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network in the town of Sipsey and along Highway 69 in northeast Walker County.

Sumiton
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network for Sumiton and Empire.

Talladega
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along Stemley Bridge Road in Talladega County and around the Logan Martin Lake Resort area.

Tallassee
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the towns of Tallassee and Shorter as well as Highway 229 and I-85 in west Macon County.

Valley Head
A new cell site enhances capacity and in-building coverage of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network in the town of Fort Payne.

West Point
Network enhancements provide greater capacity for the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data network in the town of West Point and along Highway 157.

Woodstock
This new cell site provides enhanced coverage and capacity of the Verizon Wireless voice, NationalAccess and Mobile Broadband data network along I-20/59, Highway 11 and the town of Woodstock in Bibb County.

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 Alabama and across 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. In 2007 and 2008, Verizon Wireless invested $6.5 billion nationwide to expand and advance its network.

* Loyalty claims based upon publicly available churn (customer turnover) figures.

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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