Topping $300 Million in DC, Maryland and Virginia in 2005, Verizon Wireless Network Enhancements Continue in 2006

LAUREL, Md., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, today announced it completed more than $300 million in enhancements to its D.C., Maryland and Virginia network in 2005. Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion -- about $5 billion every year since the company was formed six years ago -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new capabilities that provide high-speed, wireless broadband Internet access and downloadable video and music-on-demand services.

The company also continued to invest in backup systems to keep the network operating during power outages, and in its rigorous network quality assurance program -- daily testing designed to analyze network reliability and assist the company in targeting improvements.

"Reliable wireless networks are not built overnight," said Tami Erwin, president of the company's Washington, Baltimore, Virginia region. "While our competitors focus on integrating divergent networks and image makeovers, Verizon Wireless continues to invest in network enhancements to deliver what our customers want: the best, most reliable wireless voice and data services."

Test results in 2005 consistently showed the numbers of dropped calls and ineffective call attempts were lower on the Verizon Wireless network than on any that of any other wireless carrier. These superior results were validated by third-party measurements.

D.C. Network Enhancements

As part of its ongoing investment in the District of Columbia, Verizon Wireless expanded its BroadbandAccess 3G high-speed wireless broadband network, first deployed in 2003. Customers in the greater Washington and Baltimore areas and surroundings can now enjoy wireless Internet connections at broadband speeds as well as V CAST wireless broadband multimedia service for consumers. Additional generators and emergency batteries were installed throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia to keep the network operating during commercial power outages. All switches and the vast majority of cell sites have redundant, backup power systems.

Other network upgrades in 2005 included: * An increase in both coverage and call-handling capacity at cell sites throughout the District. * Expansion of high-speed BroadbandAccess service to additional cell sites throughout the District. Maryland Network Enhancements

As part of its ongoing network investment in Maryland, Verizon Wireless also expanded its BroadbandAccess network to 150 cell sites throughout Maryland.

Other network upgrades in 2005 included: * Activation of 40 new cell sites in Maryland, increasing both coverage and capacity. Additional cell sites are planned in 2006. * An increase in call-handling capacity at 190 cell sites throughout the state. Virginia Network Enhancements

As part of its ongoing network investment in Virginia, Verizon Wireless expanded its BroadbandAccess network to 67 cell sites in Richmond and surrounding areas and to 80 cells in the Norfolk/Williamsburg/Virginia Beach area.

Other network upgrades in 2005 included: * Activation of 52 new cell sites in Virginia, increasing both coverage and capacity. Additional cell sites are planned in 2006. * An increase in call-handling capacity at more than 300 cell sites throughout the region. * The addition of new coverage from southern Virginia to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in May 2005 in time for the busy summer vacation season.

Verizon Wireless' cross-country team of real-life test men and women made more than 3.6 million calls and traveled more than 1.2 million miles nationwide last year, testing the Verizon Wireless network on the most frequently traveled roadways. The company's reputation for having the most reliable national wireless network is based on network studies performed by these real-life test men and women who inspired the company's national television advertising campaign.

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued to set industry records in 2005 as the company added more new customers than any other carrier, and added two million net new customers in the fourth quarter alone. The company also set a new record for customer loyalty -- posting the industry's lowest rate of churn or customer turnover. Verizon Wireless now serves 51.3 million customers nationwide.

"Our D.C., Maryland and Virginia customers are among the most demanding and tech-savvy in the nation and, while other wireless carriers play catch-up, we will continue to deliver the reliable and innovative services our customers demand," Erwin said. "In 2006, we'll continue to focus on the fundamentals of our business -- providing the best network, superior customer service and advanced, innovative products and services -- day in and day out, one customer at a time."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone . Find more information on the Web at http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.