Verizon Wireless and Verizon Airfone Offer 10 Cents-A-Minute In-Flight Calls and Discounted JetConnect Services

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless service provider and operator of the most reliable wireless network, today announced it is teaming up with Verizon Airfone to offer discounted in-flight calls for Verizon Wireless customers. Beginning today, Verizon Wireless frequent flyers can stay connected while in flight for just 10 cents-a-minute when they sign up for the new Airfone Service for Verizon Wireless $10 monthly subscription plan.

Verizon Wireless customers who want to make and receive calls while in flight need only register as a user on a Verizon Airfone handset to make and receive calls for 10 cents-a-minute with a monthly subscription or 69 cents-a-minute with no subscription. Callers dialing the customer's Verizon Wireless phone number will reach them on board any of the more than 2,000 planes served by Verizon Airfone nationwide. Charges will be billed directly to the customer's Verizon Wireless bill.

The significantly discounted services are in line with roaming charges for Verizon Wireless' popular America's Choice^SM plan. Normally, a standard Airfone voice call is $3.99 to set up plus $3.99 per minute.

Customers can also take advantage of discounted access to JetConnect, a service that provides instant messaging, text messaging; and JetGazette, for up-to-the minute news, stocks, sports and weather delivered to a laptop. JetConnect, normally billed at $5.99 per flight segment, is only $10 per month and gives Verizon Wireless customers unlimited use.

"This service will change the dynamic for the executive who travels and is accustomed to landing to a voicemail box full of messages. With Airfone Service for Verizon Wireless, the busy executive is connected throughout the flight at an affordable rate," said John Comisky, Verizon Wireless vice president-marketing. "Discounted Airfone Service for Verizon Wireless will help customers who travel frequently make their travel time more productive."

Travelers can activate the feature in flight by following the instructions that will be included on every Verizon Airfone handset, or in advance by visiting any Verizon Wireless Communications Store, by calling customer service at 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or on the Web at www.VerizonWireless.com. This service will be available to Ohio customers in April and to Michigan customers in June.

(EDITORS: Broadcast-quality B-roll footage about Airfone® Service for Verizon Wireless is available online. Log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless to preview and request video segments, which can be received in newsrooms digitally, by tape or via satellite.  This and other Verizon Wireless stories can be found at this link by searching for "Verizon Wireless.")

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 37.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Airfone
Verizon Airfone, a subsidiary of Verizon Communications, began offering commercial service in 1984 with the introduction of the first cordless air-to-ground telephone system. Airfone installed the first seatback telephone in 1987, and the company deployed a nationwide, end-to-end digital system starting in 1993. Airfone® Voice Services are available on Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and Midwest Airlines. Verizon Airfone introduced JetConnect, the inflight e-mail, instant messaging and text messaging service in 2003, and is the only inflight connectivity service offering passengers e-mail on U.S. commercial flights.

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