New Verizon Wireless Cell Sites Northern New Mexico Customers Receive Even More 3G Coverage With Three

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Northern New Mexico residents, businesses and visitors are enjoying improved service along Highway 550 thanks to three new Verizon Wireless cell sites added in the fourth quarter. The sites expand 3G wireless coverage:

• In the Jemez Pueblo and along Highway 550 between mile-markers 46 and 55;
• In the Zia Pueblo along Highway 550 north from Cuba to State Route 44/96 toward Regina; and
• In the Zia Pueblo and along Highway 550 north to San Ysidro and south to the National Guard Armory.

The three new cell sites are in addition to two other sites added earlier this year along Highway 550 in between Albuquerque and Farmington.

The increase in network coverage and capacity means more calls, e-mails, text and picture messages, plus expanded wireless access to the Web.

Verizon Wireless invested more than $30 million in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas in 2008 to enhance service and coverage. Nationally, the company has invested more than $50 billion in its network since it was formed in 2000. The result is the nation's largest, most reliable wireless voice and 3G network. A side-by-side comparison of 3G network coverage maps shows that Verizon Wireless has more 3G coverage than the three other major carriers.

"Our voice and 3G network is what makes it possible for customers to truly enjoy the features of their devices like making calls, messaging, downloading apps, checking e-mail and surfing the Web," said Tony Heyman, regional president, Verizon Wireless. "It's the power behind our devices, like this holiday's must-have smartphone, the DROID by Motorola."

Verizon Wireless tests its network and those of its competitors. The company determines if voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and women drive 91 specially equipped vehicles almost one million miles annually. They drive on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts.

Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless' network and the networks of other carriers.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving 89 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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.

####