Wireless Network Operating at or Near 100 Percent in Hardest Hit Gulf Coast Cities

HOUSTON, Sept 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Verizon Wireless today announced that its
network is operating at or near 100 percent throughout the Gulf Coast,
particularly in the cities hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav.

Year-Round Focus on Reliability

With a relentless focus on reliability and severe weather preparedness,
the company's Test Men and Women travel from coast to coast conducting more
than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests
annually on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of competitors. The
collected data helps Verizon Wireless plan the company's network improvement
program, including placement of new cellular sites and expansion of existing
call capabilities in growing communities. Over the past year, Verizon Wireless
spent $6.5 billion to build and expand its nationwide network.

Gulf Coast Test Drive Results

The company's own test drive results in the Gulf Coast show the
long-standing network investment resulted in strong, sustaining coverage
across the region in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. Here's an overview of the
results for test drives Verizon Wireless conducted beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2
(afternoon) through Wednesday, Sept. 3:

    New Orleans -- Voice Testing [Miles driven: 89, Sept. 2]

    Test Performed     VZW    Company A    Company B    Company C    Company D

    Percentage of
    Successful Calls   96.8%     85%         83.9%        93.4%        81.3%



    New Orleans -- Data Testing [Miles driven: 89, Sept. 2]

    Test            VZW   VZW  Company Company Company Company Company Company
     Performed       1X  EV-DO    A       A       B       B       C       D
                                         High            High
                                        Speed           Speed
    Percentage
     of Successful
     Data Calls     100%  100%    63%    93%    96.3%   93.5%   76.9%   87.5%



    Baton Rouge, La. -- Voice Testing [Miles driven: 176, Sept. 2]

    Test Performed     VZW    Company A    Company B    Company C    Company D

    Percentage of
    Successful Calls   94.6%    76.3%        79.1%        81.1%        77.2%



    Baton Rouge, La. -- Data Testing [Miles driven: 176, Sept. 2]

    Test           VZW   VZW   Company Company Company Company Company Company
     Performed      1X  EV-DO     A       A       B       B       C       D
                                         High            High
                                        Speed           Speed
    Percentage
     of Successful
     Data Calls    100% 96.3%   27.9%   95.5%   95.2%   87.9%   44.2%   62.2%



    Houma, La. -- Voice Testing [Miles driven: 112, Sept. 3]

    Test Performed     VZW    Company A    Company B    Company C    Company D

    Percentage of
    Successful Calls   100%     64.6%        81.5%        57.4%        71.9%



    Houma, La. -- Data Testing [Miles driven: 112, Sept. 3]

    Test            VZW   VZW  Company Company Company Company Company Company
     Performed       1X  EV-DO    A       A       B       B       C       D
                                         High            High
                                        Speed           Speed
    Percentage
     of Successful
     Data Calls     100%  100%  19.4%    36.8%   94.4%   35.7%   1.6%   56.5%

"Our network yielded strong, solid wireless coverage during and after
Hurricane Gustav because of our continuous focus on the network," said Kay
Henze, Houston/Gulf Coast region president for Verizon Wireless. "Verizon
Wireless works around the clock to build, prepare and enhance its network so
that consumers can rely on their wireless service, especially in times of
crisis."

History of Reliability

During Hurricane Katrina, Verizon Wireless averaged a 90 percent call
completion rate during the days and weeks following the storm, while the
closest competitor's call completion rate was 79 percent, according to the
company's own test drives during 16 days from Sept. 1-20, 2005.

Verizon Wireless carried out a variety of efforts before hurricane season
to further strengthen and enhance its network, including a comprehensive
emergency system with several command centers in the Gulf Coast, enhancements
to its switching centers, over 50 new cell sites and a $157 million
investment, to name a few.

Further, the company's robust network-strengthening efforts are part of
its continuous investment in the Gulf Coast region. Nationally, Verizon
Wireless has spent about $5.5 billion annually to enhance its digital wireless
network and more than $45 billion since 2000.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge,
N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more
information, go to: 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
www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

http://www.verizonwireless.com

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