Experience Enhanced Service As Verizon Wireless Expands Coverage In Wilmington, North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC — To prove Verizon Wireless is committed to offer customers the most reliable wireless service, the company announced today the company has made significant strides to increase service in the Wilmington area. Verizon Wireless customers will immediately see enhanced wireless coverage in the following areas:

• Enhanced coverage near St. James community in Southport
• Coverage along Sunset Boulevard and Seaside Road near Sunset Beach
• Enhanced coverage along Highway 211 in the Winding River area

The network enhancement enables more Verizon Wireless customers to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; and download games and Ringtones while enjoying superior wireless coverage.

"We are dedicated to providing eastern North Carolina residents the opportunity to experience first-hand the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network," said Jerry Fountain, president of Verizon Wireless' Carolinas/Tennessee region. "Providing a secure connection on the first try is a No. 1 priority for our dedicated team of professionals who continue to optimize our network on a daily basis."

The enhancement in and around Wilmington is part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity, and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in North Carolina. In 2006, Verizon Wireless invested $146 million to build, maintain and expand its high-quality network*, and since 2000, the company has spent $719 million in North Carolina to ensure network reliability and expanded coverage and capacity.

* Network details at www.verizonwireless.com/bestnetwork.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company 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.  

EDITORS NOTE: Test Man Ride-Along Program for the News Media
Specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test the Verizon Wireless network as well as the networks of as many as seven other wireless providers, using a mobile laptop computer to generate phonically diverse "conversations." If one of your reporters is interested in setting up an interview or ride-along test drive with your locally-based Verizon Wireless test man or woman, please contact Carly Culbertson.

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