Verizon Wireless to Trial Highest Speed 3G Mobile Internet Technology

Verizon Wireless to Trial Highest Speed 3G Mobile Internet Technology

CDMA System Will Allow Web Surfing on Existing Network at 2.4 Mbps

Bedminster, NJ -- In a move designed to accelerate the deployment of high-speed data services throughout its network, Verizon Wireless today announced plans to trial cdma2000™ 1xEV, a high-speed data rate technology that will support up to 2.4 megabits per second (Mbps) in its existing spectrum and on current base station equipment.

1xEV technology delivers faster wireless Internet access than the third-generation (3G) enhancements that Verizon Wireless is currently testing along with Lucent Technologies [NYSE:LU].
Planned for next year, the joint 1xEV trial expands on current cdma2000 1x trials conducted on Lucent-supplied FlexentTM cdmaOne™ network infrastructure, thereby setting the stage for rapid commercialization and deployment of 3G CDMA digital wireless technology into the Verizon Wireless network. The 1xEV technology will offer subscribers mobile Internet services such as instant messaging and streaming audio and video, while also enabling high-speed Web browsing and mobile office capabilities.

"We are continuing a long tradition of collaboration with Lucent Technologies since we pioneered the commercialization of CDMA technology," said Ed Salas, vice president of technology development for Verizon Wireless. "Not only has CDMA lived up to its promise by delivering superior voice quality for our customers, we've been able to cost-effectively add capacity to meet the popularity of our service. With 1xEV technology we will build upon the success of CDMA by delivering data-intensive services to our customers."

"We are gratified that Verizon Wireless continues to rely on Lucent to deliver the innovations they require to serve their customers," said Lisa De Laurentis, Lucent's vice president of the Verizon customer team. "In a truly cooperative spirit, we have long been collaborators in bringing the benefits of CDMA to the consumer, and we are entering a new and exciting phase in our relationship with Verizon by making the Internet mobile with a real-world, cost-effective incremental technology that takes advantage of the network investments already made."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 26.3 million wireless voice and data customers and 3.5 million paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp - now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 32,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company in its Media Center on the Web atwww.verizonwireless.com.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas such as broadband and mobile Internet infrastructure; communications software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at http://www.lucent.com.

Flexent is a trademark of Lucent Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. cdmaOne and cdma2000 are trademarks of the CDMA Development Group.