Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network, Enhances Coverage In Buena Vista, Colorado

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Verizon Wireless Expands Its Network, Enhances Coverage In Buena Vista, Colorado
Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access



Media Contact Info

Bob Kelley
Robert.Kelley@VerizonWireless.com
303-694-8990



02/17/2005

DENVER, CO — In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service in Colorado, Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, has expanded its network coverage to include the community of Buena Vista.

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

-Town of Buena Vista
-Hwy. 24 North and East
-Hwy. 285 South

The Buena Vista cell site includes a permanent power back up and is accessible year-round by company service vehicles and snow cats. The network expansion follows closely on the heels of the company’s activation of a new site in Leadville, Colorado. The two communities share strong business and recreational ties to each other and to the rest of the state.

The expanded coverage is part of Verizon Wireless’ aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand in Colorado for the company’s voice and data services, such as TXT Messaging, Picture Messaging, National Access wireless Internet access and Get It Now® ring tones, games, productivity applications and more.

In the past three years, Verizon Wireless invested more than $295 million to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network in Colorado, and safeguard network reliability. Verizon Wireless spends more than $4 billion nationally each year to expand and upgrade its nationwide wireless network.

At the end of the fourth quarter of 2004, demand for Verizon Wireless services continued as the company added another record 1.7 million net new customers. At the end of 2004, Verizon Wireless announced the company serves 43.8 million customers nationwide.

“Customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us because they know they’ll get wireless service they can depend on,” said Jeff Mango, regional president for Verizon Wireless. “The company’s continued investment in its wireless network and its strong customer service focus are the drivers behind the industry-leading growth.”

The company’s investment in its wireless network also is part of Verizon Wireless’ commitment to offer customers the most reliable service in the nation today. The company’s ‘most reliable network’ claim is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women* who inspired the company’s national advertising campaign. These test men and women are Verizon Wireless engineers who make more than 300,000 test calls monthly on Verizon Wireless’ and other national wireless carriers’ networks while they travel more than 100,000 miles nationwide in specially equipped, company-owned test vehicles.

* Test Man Ride-Along Program
The specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test multiple wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse “conversations.” Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview or ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, please contact Bob Kelley at 303-694-8990 or e-mail at Robert.Kelley@verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.