Iusacell and Verizon Aid Literacy Programs in Mexico Through $60,000 Grant to ProLiteracy Worldwide

MEXICO CITY - To expand adult literacy and community empowerment programs in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan and Coahuila and help residents there improve their lives, Iusacell and Verizon will provide a grant of $60,000.

The grant -- awarded to ProLiteracy Worldwide, an international nonprofit educational organization - was announced at a ceremony today in Guanajuato City. A similar ceremony will be held tomorrow in Saltillo Coahuila.

"The support we are receiving from Iusacell and Verizon will enable ProLiteracy and the local organizations we work with to expand our programs and benefit many more people," said Lynn Curtis, vice president of program development for ProLiteracy.

"As people learn to read and write and to address a variety of health, family and economic issues, they develop the skills and confidence they need to make significant improvements in their towns, communities and personal lives," Curtis said.

Carlos Espinal, president and CEO of Iusacell, a Verizon affiliate, said: "Iusacell applauds the efforts by ProLiteracy and its local organization partners in Mexico to help adults read and write and to play a more active role in their towns and communities. The foundation of any civilized society is built on literacy, and it is a key factor for continued development and growth.

"Iusacell also salutes the people who enroll in ProLiteracy's programs and who are striving to better their lives and those of their friends and families," Espinal said.

Participants in the ProLiteracy programs attend classes in libraries, schools and community centers. The grant, funded by Verizon International Foundation, will pay for instructors' salaries, computers and other classroom equipment and supplies.

The grant will enable ProLiteracy to expand its programs to 10 additional communities in the following locations: near the towns of Irapuato and Dolores Hidalgo in Guanajuato; near the town of Parras in Coahuila; and in the vicinity of Patzcuaro in Michoacan. ProLiteracy currently serves 24 communities in the three states.

ProLiteracy, formerly known as Laubach Literacy, operates literacy and community action programs in 45 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The organization operates the largest volunteer- based literacy effort in the United States, providing support and technical assistance to more than 1,200 organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Verizon International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon International, supports a variety of educational and economic initiatives that focus on literacy, workforce development and technology for communities. The foundation is committed to improving the quality of life of the global communities served by Verizon and its international affiliates. The foundation works closely with Verizon's affiliates, a variety of advisory groups and other organizations to identify local needs and to develop and nurture programs that address those needs.

Grupo Iusacell, S.A. of C.V.

Grupo Iusacell, S.A. of C.V. (Iusacell, NYSE; CEL; BMV; CEL) is a leading telecommunications company in Mexico. It provides wireless service in seven of Mexico's nine regions (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Acapulco, Puebla, Leon and Mérida) covering approximately 90 million POPs, representing approximately 90% of the country's total population. Iusacell, headquartered in Mexico City, is under the management control of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE; VZ). Former more information on Iusacell visit www.iusacell.com.mx

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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