Forty-Five New Cell Sites Extend Network Benefits To Verizon Wireless Customers In Oregon During 2008

Company Invests $107 Million to Expand Capacity in Oregon to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Calling, Web, E-mail, Navigation, Music and Video

PORTLAND, OR — Across Oregon, wireless users are making more phone calls and data transmissions thanks to Verizon Wireless’ $107 million network investment in 2008. That’s an average of more than $290,000 per day spent to provide customers in Oregon with the reliable, high-quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless.

The company’s ongoing network investment now totals more than $449 million in Oregon and more than $50 billion nationally over the past eight years. The 2008 enhancements significantly increase the number of calls and data transmissions the Verizon Wireless network can handle for its customers.

More Coverage and Capacity
Forty-five new cell sites were added throughout Oregon in 2008 to improve coverage and capacity in Ashland, Aumsville, Baker City, Beaverton, Bend, Boring, Burns, Central Point, Cornelius, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Falls City, Grants Pass, Hillsboro, Lakeview, La Pine, Madras, Monmouth, Portland, Prineville, Rogue River, Sisters, Sunriver, Talent, Veneta and Warm Springs.

Most Reliable Wireless Network in the Nation
Verizon Wireless’ team of real-life test men and test women drove more than 1 million miles in 2008 – the equivalent of two roundtrips to the moon or 40 trips around the world – to test the company’s and competitors’ networks. Data collected by these test men and women, who inspired Verizon Wireless’ iconic national advertising campaign, helped the company direct its multi-billion dollar network capital expenditure program and is the basis for the company’s “most reliable network” claim.

During their test drives along the nation’s major highways and secondary roads, the team of more than 90 dedicated individuals uses sophisticated testing equipment in specially equipped company vehicles to conduct more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 22 million data tests on the Verizon Wireless network and the networks of major competitors across the U.S.

“Our customers want to stay connected – to work, family, friends and the other things they enjoy. They’re texting, handling e-mail, downloading music, visiting Web sites, sharing pictures and videos, and making calls. That’s why we built the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network, and why we will continue to invest to make it better,” said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president, Verizon Wireless.

The network investment includes adding 30 new cell sites, updating and adding capacity to many others, and further improving backup power capabilities to improve network reliability and add new services. The multi-million dollar enhancement also includes completion of the company’s 3G high-speed wireless network throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest, allowing customers to access advanced wireless services at even faster broadband speeds.

This upgrade provides high-speed access to advanced services such as V CAST – which allows customers to stream video clips, play cutting-edge 3D games and download full-song music tracks over-the-air; and the latest version of VZ Navigator(SM) – a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, gas station locations and pricing.

The advanced 3G technology also allows customers to wirelessly access their e-mail and calendars, the Internet and other information anytime via a secure connection with the company’s Mobile Broadband service. Mobile Broadband customers with Rev. A-compatible devices can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means customers can download a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file at faster speeds than before.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2008 as the company added 1.4 million net new customers. With the acquisition of Alltel now complete, more than 80 million Americans depend on Verizon Wireless for mobile products and services.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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.