Sussex County Residents Benefit from Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Mobile Web for email and information now are easier and faster for Verizon Wireless customers in Sussex County, thanks to the activation of three new cell sites.

The new cell sites improve network coverage and capacity in the following areas:

    --  Hamburg, along Vernon Avenue between Forrest Hills Way and Lawrence
        Street and along Route 23 from Limekin to Scenic Lake roads.
    --  Wantage, along routes 23 and 519.

    --  Andover, along Newton Sparta Road between Limecrest Road and Yates
        Avenue and along Goodale and Lake Iliff roads.

With the improved network coverage, more customers can use their wireless phones to send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; view high-quality videos; and access turn-by-turn directions, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

This network enhancement is part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company's voice and data services. Verizon Wireless spent $238 million to enhance services and coverage throughout metro New York and New Jersey in 2008, bringing total network investment to more than $2.2 billion in the region and more than $50 billion nationwide since 2000. The company's 3G high-speed Mobile Broadband network is the largest and most reliable in the U.S.

"We've always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on," said Pat Devlin, president of the company's New York Metro Region. "We continue to invest aggressively in our wireless networks across New York and New Jersey to increase coverage and capacity for our customers."

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2008 when the company added 1.4 million new customers, and continued its industry-leading customer loyalty rates. Verizon Wireless now serves more than 80 million customers nationwide. During the fourth quarter, the company delivered nearly 90 billion text messages, -- more than double the number of text messages sent in the same period a year ago. Customers also sent 1.8 billion picture/video messages and 50 million music and video downloads.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and women drive 98 specially equipped vehicles nearly one million miles each year on the country's most frequently traveled roadways 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.

For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

http://www.verizonwireless.com

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