Verizon Wireless Spends More Than $139 Million In 2007 To Enhance South Carolina's Wireless Network

COLUMBIA, SC — Verizon Wireless announced today that the company has invested more than $139 million to improve its voice and data wireless network across South Carolina in 2007, increasing the company's total investment since 2000 to nearly $600 million.

Significant 2007 network improvements in South Carolina include:

•  Areas around Columbia such as Gaston, Lexington County and Lake Murray
• Areas around Charleston such as Seabrook Island and Asheville River Rd near Charleston-Dorchester County Lines
• Areas around Myrtle Beach such as Carolina Forest and US-501 west of the Intracoastal Waterway

Verizon Wireless also expanded and upgraded its Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev A) network throughout Anderson, Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Florence, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Orangeburg.

"As more people use their wireless devices to surf the Web, download music and stream video, it is imperative that Verizon Wireless invest significantly to bring our customers reliable service to keep up with their demand for high-speed Internet," said Jerry Fountain, Verizon Wireless Carolinas/Tennessee region president. "Verizon Wireless is also focused on making the shopping experience more convenient and accessible, so our customers will see shopping conveniences and store improvements in many of our South Carolina locations."

Verizon Wireless opened and remodeled several retail locations in Greenwood, Seneca and Columbia during 2007, extending the company's customer service options and creating new employment opportunities for South Carolinians. The company has 29 company-owned and operated retail stores in South Carolina with more planned in 2008.

With more than 4,000 people employed statewide, Verizon Wireless operates three state-of-the-art customer service centers in the state's largest metropolitan areas (Columbia, Greenville and Charleston). Verizon Wireless was recently recognized in the 2007 South Carolina Chamber of Commerce's annual "Big Fifty," a ranking based on the number of people companies employ in South Carolina.

For more information about Verizon Wireless' products, services and opportunities in South Carolina call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com.

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.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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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