Suffolk County, New York, Residents Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Six New Cell Sites Added to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data

ORANGEBURG, NY — Wireless calling, text messaging and surfing the Mobile Web for email and information now are easier and faster for Verizon Wireless customers in Suffolk County, thanks to the activation of six new cell sites.

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

•James Port, along Main Road between Washington Avenue and Herricks Lane, and along South James Port Avenue and Peconic Bay Blvd.
•Islip, along South Bay and Nassau avenues between Maple Street and Route 27 and along Main Street between Saxon Avenue and Irish Lane.
•Calverton, along Route 25 between Parker Road and Edwards Avenue.
•Hampton Bay, along Sunrise Highway between Bellows Pond and Red Creek roads and along Old Riverhead Road and West Montauk Highway.
•Copiague, along Montauk Highway between Bryan Avenue and South 7th Street.
•Huntington, along East Main Street between Park Avenue and Beaupre Court.
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.

For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com.