Hudson County, New Jersey, Residents Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access and Music as Area Businesses and Consumers Increasingly Rely on All-in-One Wireless Devices

WARREN, NJ — Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Mobile Web for e-mail and information now are easier and faster for Verizon Wireless customers in Hudson County, thanks to the activation of two new cell sites.

The new cell sites improve network coverage and capacity in the following areas:

•North Bergen, along Route 1 between Penhorn Avenue and 41st Street and along Paterson Plank Road and Westside Avenue.
•Bayonne, along Broadway between East 41st and East 52nd streets.
With the improved network coverage, more customers can use their wireless phones to send and receive e-mail, text, picture and video messages; view high-quality videos; and access turn-by-turn directions, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

This network enhancement is part of Verizon Wireless’ aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for the company’s voice and data services. Verizon Wireless spent $238 million to enhance services and coverage throughout metro New York and New Jersey in 2008, bringing total network investment to more than $2.2 billion in the region and more than $50 billion nationwide since 2000. The company’s 3G high-speed Mobile Broadband network is the largest and most reliable in the U.S.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced cell phone is only as good as the network it runs on, “ said Pat Devlin, president of the company’s New York Metro region. “We continue to invest aggressively in our wireless networks across New York and New Jersey to increase coverage and capacity for our customers.”

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the fourth quarter of 2008 when the company added 1.4 million new customers, and continued its industry-leading customer loyalty rates. Verizon Wireless now serves more than 80 million customers nationwide. During the fourth quarter, the company delivered nearly 90 billion text messages,—more than double the number of text messages sent in the same period a year ago. Customers also sent 1.8 billion picture and video messages and received 50 million music and video downloads.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless’ real-life test men and women drive more than 90 specially equipped vehicles more than one million miles each year on the country’s most frequently traveled roadways to confirm that voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than three million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers.