Wireless Phone Users Near Waco, Missouri Now Experience Even Clearer Reception and Fewer Dropped Calls

            Verizon Wireless Activates Cell Site in Joplin Area



    JOPLIN, Mo., Aug. 18 /EMWNews/ -- Verizon Wireless, the only major

carrier with a 30-day network test-drive pledge that pays for calls if a

customer isn't satisfied and switches to another carrier, has activated a

new cell site near Waco that expands network coverage and increases

capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently

to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages;

and download games and ringtones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer

dropped calls.



    This new cell site improves Verizon Wireless' voice and data network in

southwestern Missouri, supplying better coverage and capacity in the

vicinity of Joplin. Specifically, Verizon Wireless customers will

experience better coverage along Highway 171 north from Carl Junction to

the cities of Waco and Asbury. Additionally, the improved coverage

stretches from Northeast 118th Street east to County Road 270.



    "This network enhancement reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the

growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high

quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless," said Lou Sigillo,

president-Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless.



    Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon

Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry, as measured

by the company's low percent of customer turnover.



    "The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our

industry-leading customer retention," Sigillo said. "Wireless consumers

today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason

our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer

the nation's most reliable network."



    This new cell site is part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to

expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless

voice and data network in Missouri and throughout the country. Verizon

Wireless has invested $44 billion since it was formed -- $5.5 billion on

average every year -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national

network and to add new services. More than $26 million has been spent in

Missouri in the first half of 2008.

    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: http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.