Verizon Wireless Broadband Network Speeds Into Corpus Christi, Texas

DALLAS, TX — Building on its successful strategy to provide customers superior wireless services, Verizon Wireless has launched its high-speed broadband network in Corpus Christi to better serve residents, businesses and visitors to the South Texas region. Verizon Wireless customers now have access to the latest high-speed business and entertainment services on their wireless phones, laptop computers and other wireless devices.

The multi-million dollar network expansion — which entailed installing high-tech wireless hardware and software in dozens of wireless transmission sites — brings high-speed wireless services to Corpus Christi, Robstown, Bishop, Kingsville, Portland, Gregory, Ingleside, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, Rockport and Fulton. The expansion is part of an ongoing network investment by Verizon Wireless that has totaled more than $35 billion nationally over the past seven years.

The coverage area extends from the intersection of State Highway 35 and State Park Road 13 to the intersection of US Highway 77 and FM 772 south of Kingsville. The expansion extends from the intersection of FM 624 and County Road 81 in the west to the coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico, including coverage on the northern portions of South Padre Island.

In addition to allowing advanced applications such as BroadbandAccess and V CAST, the network upgrade will further strengthen the Verizon Wireless network in the event of emergencies.

"The expansion of our wireless broadband network gives residents access to the latest high-speed productivity and entertainment applications and services, and our continued investment in the region further strengthens the local network," said Luis M. Cruz, region president for Verizon Wireless. "As hurricane season comes to a close, Verizon Wireless continues to invest in the coastal regions to ensure we remain the most reliable network available."

BroadbandAccess allows customers to connect wirelessly to the Internet, download e-mail and applications, and log into their corporate servers via their laptop at broadband speeds. The technology provides mobile workers full access, productivity and security, just as if they were at their desks and attached via a high-speed wired connection, but with the freedom of true mobility.

This wireless broadband experience is made possible by the Verizon Wireless Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) technology, with typical connection speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps).

The technology was first introduced in Texas in Austin, and now also is available in the Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Victoria, Laredo, Sherman/Denison, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Bryan/College Station, Tyler/Longview, Wichita Falls, Waco and McAllen/Brownsville metro areas.

The Verizon Wireless V CAST service gives customers access to short video content, downloadable music and cutting-edge 3D games on their mobile phones. V CAST provides current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming on demand. And with access to more than 1.4 million songs, music lovers with a V CAST Music-enabled phone can download and play their favorite songs — all while on-the-go.

Customers in Corpus Christi can see a demonstration of the new services available by visiting a local Verizon Wireless store at:

• Verizon Wireless Communications Store, 4526 S. Padre Island, Texas, 361-225-2409
• Verizon Wireless Communications Store, 5488 S. Padre Island, Texas, 361-906-2005
• Verizon Wireless at Circuit City, 5425 S. Padre Island, Texas, 361-994-9400

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 57 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 60,000 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.

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