WeatherBug Becomes Premier Provider of Weather Info

[Ironwalt]

Press Release Source: Verizon Wireless


WeatherBug Becomes Premier Provider of Weather Information to Verizon
Wednesday September 12, 8:30 am ET
Agreement Helps Verizon Customers to Plan their Day and Stay Safe When Severe Weather Strikes


BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and GERMANTOWN, Md., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, and WeatherBug®, the leading provider of live, local weather information, announced today that WeatherBug has been selected by Verizon as the company's exclusive weather partner for several of its mobile entertainment and information services. Verizon Wireless customers can now receive WeatherBug's live, neighborhood weather -- the most precise coverage available -- via text messages, through the Get It Now® virtual store, on V CAST Video and through Mobile Web 2.0(SM). In addition, WeatherBug content will be available on certain Verizon Online Web sites serving both FiOS Internet and Verizon High Speed Internet customers.

The WeatherBug Network is the world's largest. It combines live weather sensors and cameras located primarily atop schools, with publicly available weather data from around the world, to deliver weather information with a degree of accuracy, precision and timeliness unmatched in the industry. Other services attempt to approximate such localized and specific coverage by using readings that are an hour or more old and from airports many miles away, which leads to unnecessary inaccuracies.

"The ability to get weather updates, potentially life-saving weather alerts and information while on-the-go is important for our wireless customers," said Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon. "By offering WeatherBug's reliable and accurate weather coverage across all Verizon platforms, we can create a consistent experience for our customers, regardless of the service they prefer to use to get their information."

Also seen on local broadcast television newscasts nationwide, WeatherBug has an extremely loyal online following. According to comScore Media Metrix-June 2007, WeatherBug is the number one Web weather property in terms of monthly visits, page views and time spent. It is also one of the top five Web properties in the United States overall in terms of days visited per user per month, a key measure of loyalty and repeat usage.

"We started WeatherBug fifteen years ago on a foundation of technology innovation, and today we continue to lead the way in creating new and unique applications for mobile and broadband users," said Bob Marshall, president and chief executive officer of WeatherBug. "We are extremely pleased to be selected by Verizon, and look forward to developing creative new ways to help Verizon customers plan their day and stay safe whatever the weather, while they're at home, at work or on-the-go."

In addition to WeatherBug supplying information to Verizon Wireless' array of consumer services, WeatherBug Protect, WeatherBug's flagship weather alerting product for enterprise users, will be available to Verizon Wireless business customers. WeatherBug Protect turns mobile phones into emergency notification devices by delivering severe weather alerts that are unique to the WeatherBug Network.

As part of the agreement, Verizon Wireless' Network Operations Centers and Verizon's field service teams will utilize WeatherBug's enterprise products, WeatherBug Protect and WeatherBug Streamer, to improve operational efficiencies and keep field personnel safe from severe weather.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless. Business customers may contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 62.1 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 67,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - News) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD - News News). Find more information on the Web at Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless. 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 Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - News), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 62 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit Verizon.com.

About WeatherBug®

WeatherBug ensures that individuals, schools, businesses and government agencies can plan with confidence by bringing them the most precise live weather information, the most relevant weather reports and the earliest weather warnings to safeguard property and lives. By combining its massive network of live streaming weather sensors and cameras located primarily atop schools, with publicly available weather data from around the world, the WeatherBug Network is the world's largest, delivering neighborhood-level weather information with a degree of precision and timeliness unmatched in the industry. WeatherBug serves millions of consumers via the Internet and mobile devices; more than 100 state and local government agencies, including the National Weather Service; and broadcast television stations, schools and businesses. WeatherBug is a brand of AWS Convergence Technologies Inc. (WeatherBug® Your Weather Just Got Better). More information on WeatherBug's consumer and professional services can be found at Weather and forecast information on WeatherBug.com and WeatherBug® Professional.




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Source: Verizon Wireless

[Mobile Mike]

This is good to know. I use WeatherBug Plus on my PC and really like it. I've heard complaints about it containing spyware or something like it. I could care less. I really have good virus control and spyware software which takes care of my computer.

It's nice to know what the real-time temperature is.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

This is good to know. I use WeatherBug Plus on my PC and really like it. I've heard complaints about it containing spyware or something like it. I could care less. I really have good virus control and spyware software which takes care of my computer.

It's nice to know what the real-time temperature is.

Agreed- I also use Weatherbug on all my Laptops and Computers and simply love it.
Good that they will be providing us with mobile weather.

[RJB]

Yeah the mobile app will be great to have.

[Mobile Mike]

It will be interested to see if a lot of the same features from the PC version will make it to the mobile one.