Verizon Wireless Helps Students Pass Wireless Phone Management 101

IRVINE, CA — Look at the number of young people using wireless phones on any college campus, and it is evident that having a wireless phone is as fundamental as a backpack. Yet, having a wireless phone and understanding all the nuances of its use, cost and fees are two entirely different things—earning an "A" in wireless phone management takes some homework. Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless service provider, offers the following advice for those heading back to the hallowed halls this fall along with special offers that make going back to school wirelessly cost effective.

- Understand the true cost of your service. It is not uncommon for young adults to be attracted to a service that offers low monthly fees only to find out later that the cost of calling home has blown their budget. Verizon Wireless offers a nationwide SingleRate^SM plan with free long distance and no roaming charges that could mean significant savings for the student attending school out of state.

Pay as you go calling plans also can be a simple way for students to get started on wireless service, enabling the wireless phone user to convert to a monthly calling plan should he/she become a more frequent wireless user in the future. Introduced nationwide this week, Verizon Wireless' FREEUP service bundles nationwide voice service, two-way text messaging and voice mail. At the same time, the unique service package frees customers from monthly bills, annual service contracts, credit checks for service and additional fees for roaming and long distance.

- Pick the right handset. Given rapidly changing technology, a student doesn't need to purchase the most expensive handset to be equipped for the latest services. Verizon Wireless offers a variety of affordable digital phones that are equipped for web access and short text messaging so even if they don't subscribe to the services now, they're prepared for the future.

- Select the service that fits a student budget. Most students live on a limited budget, yet for many, wireless technology has graduated from a luxury item to a necessity for safety, staying in touch with friends and family and eliminating the hassles associated with sharing a phone. Verizon Wireless offers a variety of affordable packages, including a new digital plan designed with students' needs in mind. Verizon Wireless is offering 1,500 free night and weekend home airtime minutes per month with its local digital price plans, which start at $35 monthly access, for the length of a one or two year contract. In addition, Verizon Wireless is offering 1,000 monthly airtime mobile-to-mobile minutes on its local digital plans to Verizon Wireless customers when they call other Verizon Wireless customers.

- All wireless carriers are not created equal. A student who acquires a wireless phone in his or her hometown may learn that their wireless phone is less effective in and around campus. Without a high-quality network to put the call through, even the most advanced handsets will not perform. Verizon Wireless is investing more than $4 billion in 2001 in its coast- to-coast network that is tested daily across the United States to make sure the calls get through and are not dropped.

- A guarantee is important -- With Verizon Wireless' Worry Free Guarantee, students get a guarantee that they will get the plan that meets their needs. Customers may change to any qualifying price plan or airtime promotion at any time with no additional fees. In addition, equipment can be returned for any reason within 15 days of purchase.

For more information on wireless plans, service, and accessories, visit Verizon Wireless' Online Store at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 28 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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