Verizon Wireless Surpasses $1 Billion Network Investment in Indiana National Deployment of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network Scheduled to begin in 2010

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/–VerizonWireless today announced that it has surpassed the $1 billion milestone in its wireless infrastructure investment in Indiana. The company is also on target to build a total of 50 new cell sites in 2009, spending more than $78.5 million on its Indiana network this year.

The 50 new cell sites will expand network coverage and increase capacity, enabling more business and residential customers to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

Where possible, Verizon Wireless will install permanent generators at its new cell sites, ensuring its customers can continue to communicate during power outages, tornados, flooding and other disasters. Nearly all Verizon Wireless cell sites across the state built to date already have permanent generators installed, and that practice kept the network up and running during the massive power outages last winter and spring, especially in southern Indiana, and, most recently, during the severe thunderstorms in central Indiana. Permanent generators cost an average of $35,000 each.

“A billion dollars is a significant milestone of which we’re extremely proud,” said Beth Drohan, vice president-Midwest Area Network operations, Verizon Wireless. “Beyond that, we’ll continue investing in our network because the reliability we provide is the most important reason why our customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless.”

Moving Forward with 4G

Verizon Wireless has already begun building the underlying infrastructure that will enable it to become the first wireless company to offer commercial 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based service in the United States, starting in 2010.

“In 2010, we plan to roll out LTE in 25 to 30 markets across the United States,” Drohan said. “This significantly faster wireless network will enable us to continue to meet business customer demand for improved efficiency and mobility as well as consumer demand for mobilizing the many applications they frequently use on high bandwidth wired networks.”

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed — $5.5 billion on average every year — to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. The company spends more on its wireless network than any other wireless service provider.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless