Wireless Phone Users In Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Now Experience Even Clearer Reception And Fewer Dropped Calls

NEWCOMERSTOWN, OH — Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site in Tuscarawas County that expands network coverage and increases calling capacity in the following areas:

• along Interstate 77 from Glasgow south to County Road 3;
• from Newcomerstown southeast along State Route 258 to Stocker Ridge and Bernice.

The new cell site enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls, send and receive TXT and Picture Messages, and download games and ringtones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

"Last year in Ohio, call volume on our network increased by 35 percent," said Roger Tang, president—Ohio/Pennsylvania Region, Verizon Wireless. "These network enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless."

Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry. During the third quarter of 2005, only 1.3 percent of its customers disconnected their service, which is well below the industry average.

"The value we offer our customers is tied closely to our industry-leading customer retention," Tang said. "Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation's most reliable network."

This new cell site in Tuscarawas County is part of Verizon Wireless' continuous effort to increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Ohio and across the country. Since its inception in 2000, the company has consistently spent more than $4 billion annually-and more than $5 billion last year-to expand and improve its network nationwide. Approximately $150 million of this investment was spent in 2004 to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless products and services in Ohio.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, N.J., 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. 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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