Madison, Connecticut Residents to Benefit from Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

MADISON, Conn., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in New Haven County, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network with a new cell site. The new site increases coverage and capacity along Route 79 in Madison, Connecticut.

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. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion since it was formed -- more than $5 billion on average every 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 second quarter of 2007 as the company added 1.3 million net new customers and also reported the lowest customer turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the wireless industry.

The company's 'nation's most reliable wireless network' reputation 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 62.1 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). 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.