Orange County Residents to Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access,
and Music

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to
provide the best wireless service for local residents in Orange County,
Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with a new cell site in Middletown.
The new site improves coverage and capacity along Route 17 between exit 119
and exit 120, on Goshen Turnpike from Crystal Run Road to Silver Lake
Scotchtown Road, and along Route 211 from Hidden Drive to Certified Drive.
This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion
dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for
Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Verizon Wireless has invested nearly
$44 billion since it was formed -- more than $5 billion on average every year
-- to increase coverage and capacity and to offer customers the most reliable
service available in the nation.
Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text
messaging, VCAST and VCAST Music, ESPN MVP and BroadbandAccess, the company's
high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and
business customers. It provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per
second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second (mbps), and average upload speeds of
500-800 kbps.
Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth
quarter of 2007 as the company added 2 million new customers. Verizon Wireless
is the leader in wireless customer loyalty, reporting the lowest customer
turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the industry -- 1.2% in the fourth
quarter -- for the 13th consecutive quarter.
The company's 'nation's most reliable wireless network' reputation is
based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women
throughout the country who inspired the "Can you hear me now" national
advertising campaign. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped
vehicles over 240,000 miles on average each quarter on Interstate, US and
state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are
equipped with computers that automatically make more than 750,000 voice call
attempts and more than four million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless'
network and the networks of other carriers.
Last year, Verizon Wireless introduced its 30-day Test Drive, an industry
first that lets customers experience its network virtually risk-free for 30
days. If customers are not satisfied with their experience and take their
number to another carrier, Verizon Wireless will refund their money for calls,
equipment, activation fee and taxes. For more information about Verizon
Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store,
call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 65.7 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.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless

John O'Malley of Verizon Wireless, +1-585-321-7264, +1-585-261-5899,
john.omalley@verizonwireless.com; or Meredith Dropkin, +1-315-233-3000,
meredithd@mragroup.com, for Verizon Wireless