Travelers at Portland International Jetport to Benefit from Verizon Wireless Network Expansion


Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Voice, Multimedia and Internet Access

PORTLAND, Maine, April 25 - In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for air travelers in Portland, Maine, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network with a new cell site. The new site is designed to provide coverage to the Portland International Jetport, including terminals, parking garage, tarmac, and surrounding area.

This network expansion is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year, including nearly $318 million in New England in 2006 alone, to stay ahead of growing demand for Verizon Wireless voice and data services. Since 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $35 billion-on average $5 billion a year - into its national wireless network as part of its commitment to offer customers the most reliable service available, including wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, BroadbandAccess high-speed internet and the company's exclusive V CAST service.

BroadbandAccess Revision A offers computer users the nation's most reliable high-speed wireless mobile broadband network, operating at average upload speeds between 500 and 800 kbps, and download speeds between 600 kbps and 1.4 mbps. V CAST brings video clips of TV shows, music on demand and other multimedia services to wireless phones over Verizon Wireless' high-speed EV-DO network.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2006 as the company added 2.3 million net new customers and also reported the lowest customer turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the wireless industry, well below the rate reported by the other major wireless carriers.

Verizon Wireless' reputation as the 'nation's most reliable wireless network' is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country who inspired the "can you hear me now" national advertising campaign. Nationally, these test men and women drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles almost 1,000,000 miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways as well as major roads and surface streets in high- population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts, to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. 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 wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 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 65,000 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

Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Michael Murphy, +1-781-932-1213, or Wendy Bulawa,
+1-617-851-3426, both of Verizon Wireless

Web site: www.verizonwireless.com/

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