According to Verizon, a new cell site provides increased wireless voice and 3G data coverage along Route 140, County Street, and Route 79 in Berkley, Taunton and Lakeville, as well as the surrounding areas.

"Verizon Wireless' 3G network coverage across New England is unparalleled," said director for Network System Performance for Verizon Wireless, Richard Enright. "We've invested billions of dollars into New England believing that even the most sophisticated cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on. Our continued aggressive network investments provide customers with a 3G network advantage at home and on vacation."

Verizon reported it has invested more than $50 billion since its inception to increase the wireless voice and data coverage of its national network and to add new 3G services like Mobile Broadband and V Cast.

Verizon Wireless is an operator of wireless voice and 3G data networks, serving 89 million customers.

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Businesses of any size can tap into the power of Mobile Broadband. The service allows users to connect to the Internet wirelessly while on the go to download music over-the-air, and access e-mail or corporate data. For example, customers can download a small 1 megabyte PowerPoint(R) presentation in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Small business owners interested in Mobile Broadband, and other wireless solutions, can visit http://smallbusiness.vzw.com where they will find:

    --  An online forum to share experiences and connect with other business
        owners
    --  Access to Small Business Specialists in each Verizon Wireless store
    --  Discounts and promotions to help businesses stretch their budgets
    --  Summaries of mobile solutions like email, wireless Internet and Push to
        Talk service
    --  24/7 tech support

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 1,000,000 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 data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 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

"My Sister's House is so grateful for Verizon's support and commitment to help women economically and personally rebuild their lives from domestic violence," said Nilda Valmores, My Sister's House executive director. "This grant will help My Sister's House aid domestic violence survivors through the Sisters Achieving Self Sufficiency Program, which includes its Women to Work project."

Domestic violence survivors enrolled in the program will attend at least one 16-week session of the Women to Work project. To make the transition into a stable job or an upgraded occupation, participants will receive support including group therapy; one-on-one mentoring and case management; utilization of Sacramento Works Career Centers; and additional training from community colleges, adult schools and specialized certification programs. The curriculum will be culturally sensitive and reach populations less likely to see assistance through traditional service agencies.

"My Sister's House programs have been the catalyst needed to inspire women to make life-changing decisions," said Kevin Zavaglia, region president for Verizon Wireless. "We are proud to support an organization that has a proven record of success in domestic violence awareness, prevention and survivor support."

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

About My Sister's House

My Sister's House seeks to eliminate domestic violence in the Asian and Pacific Islander community through family education, and by increasing the self-determination of Asian and Pacific Islander women. The mission of My Sister's House is to serve the needs of Asian and Pacific Islander women and children impacted by domestic violence by providing a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven and community services.

About Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases

SOURCE Verizon

http://www.verizonfoundation.org

InsideOut, a documentary developed by The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation, allows students to see firsthand the importance of the choices they make. InsideOut exposes the real story of the devastating and lasting effects of dropping out of school, told by those who live with the consequences every day: prison inmates.

"After seeing the documentary and hearing the emotional messages from these inmates, Verizon Wireless knew that we wanted to bring this powerful illustration of the importance of staying in school to students in St. Louis," said Justin Stiehr, Director of Marketing for the Kansas/Missouri Region of Verizon Wireless.

InsideOut has been seen in 43 states across the country. "The dropout rate in the U.S. has reached unbelievable proportions, and we have to use creative approaches to reach our youth and encourage them to stay in school. We are grateful to Verizon Wireless and St. Louis Public Schools for helping us further our mission to increase the graduation rate in St. Louis and other communities across the state and nation," said Shelley Stewart, President and Founder of The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation.

"It is essential that we encourage our youth to stay in school and get an education," said Dr. Kelvin Adams, Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. "Education is of fundamental importance, and we are excited to partner with The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation and Verizon Wireless to provide students with an opportunity to witness the power of education, and also the likely consequences that await those who make the choice to drop out of school."

InsideOut will start being shown in local schools in the near future.

"Dropping out of school has serious consequences on our youth, families and neighborhoods," said State Representative Jamilah Nasheed. "We are pleased that our students can experience initiatives like InsideOut in order to encourage them to stay in school. Increasing the graduation rate is not only better for the students, but it also helps produce a better educated and skilled workforce for our communities."

To learn more about The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation or to have InsideOut shown in your school or community organization, visit www.mattiecstewart.org.

About The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation

The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the dropout rate. The Foundation was established in honor of Dr. Shelley Stewart's late mother, Mattie C. Stewart, in the summer of 2007 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Its primary corporate partner is o2ideas, Inc., a corporate communications and brand relations firm also based in Birmingham. The mission of the Foundation is to create tools and resources to help educators, community leaders and parents effectively address the dropout rate and increase the graduation rate. The Foundation also partners with America's Promise Alliance, the National Dropout Prevention Center and Communities In Schools. For more information, visit www.mattiecstewart.org.

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 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.

About St. Louis Public Schools

St. Louis Public Schools provides a world-class education and is nationally recognized as a leader in student achievement and teacher quality. The district provides a quality education for all students in order to enable them to realize their full intellectual potential.

SOURCE The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation

http://www.mattiecstewart.org