Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network Across Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In its continuing effort to provide the best wireless service in Alabama, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has again expanded its statewide network with additional cell sites and enhanced coverage capacity in 15 markets across the state. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $125-million to date in 2005 in Alabama and Georgia.

As a result of the new cell sites, network coverage and capacity have been enhanced in the following areas:

* Birmingham: Core of the Birmingham MSA * Bessemer: Bessemer Civic Center, Bessemer Tech, UAB Hospital West and Visionland Park * Tuscaloosa: Tuscaloosa North, Alberta and Jug Factory Road * Montgomery: Along Hwy 231 South of Montgomery and city of Pike Road * Piedmont: Along US 278 * Huntsville: North Huntsville * Florence: Florence, the University of North Alabama campus to the residential area south of Cox Creek Parkway * Cullman: Cullman * Holly Pond: Along 278 between Oak Level and Blountsville and along Hwy 231 between 91 and 31 * Ragland: Ragland * Opelika: Along County Road 152 and 158 * Snead: Along 278 between Altoona and Blountsville * Capshaw: Jeff Rd, Nick Davis Rd, Old Railroad Bed Rd, Highway 53 and the community of Harvest * North Alabama: July Mountain, Middle Ridges, Section, DT Scottsboro, Hollywood, Ft Payne and Rainsville

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $4 billion nationally each year since its inception -- and more than $5 billion last year alone -- to expand and upgrade its nationwide wireless network.

The new cell sites and enhanced capacity are part of Verizon Wireless' aggressive multi-billion Dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in Alabama for the company's voice and data services, including TXT Messaging, Picture Messaging, NationalAccess, and Get It Now(R) ring tones, games, productivity applications and more.

All enhanced coverage is the direct result of network studies, designed to improve Verizon Wireless network performance. The company's real-life test men and women, who inspired the company's national advertising campaign, are Verizon Wireless engineers who make more than 3.5 million test calls nationwide on Verizon Wireless' and other wireless carriers' networks, riding in specially-equipped, company-owned test vehicles, and traveling more than one million miles a year -- about half the distance from earth to the moon.

In fact, the company's 'most reliable wireless network in the nation' claim is based on these network studies.

The company's long tradition of investment in its network, including stringent quality testing, is rooted in Verizon Wireless' commitment to offer the most reliable wireless service.

"Customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us because they know they'll get wireless service they can depend on," said Jim McGean, Verizon Wireless Alabama/Georgia region president. "The company's continued investment in its premier wireless network and its strong customer service focus are the drivers behind our industry-leading growth."

Demand for Verizon Wireless services was unprecedented in 2004 as the company added a record 6.3 million net new customers, more than any other U.S. wireless provider. As of the end of the second quarter 2005, the company served nearly 47.4 million customers nationwide.

Verizon Wireless is the nation's wireless leader in customer loyalty, based on company retention and turnover rates published by the largest providers; owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network and the only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States; and the wireless company at the top of more third-party surveys of customer satisfaction.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless 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.