Riverside County Customers Receive More 3G Coverage With Two New Verizon Wireless Cell Sites

Riverside County residents, businesses and visitors are enjoying improved service thanks to two new Verizon Wireless cell sites. The sites expand 3G wireless coverage in:

* Corona - Along south Main Street to the hilly residential area of Corona
* Desert Center / Blythe - A large span of Highway 95 between Big Maria and Vidal

The increase in network coverage and capacity means more calls, emails, text and picture messages for locals, plus expanded wireless access to the web.

Verizon Wireless invested over $600 million in California during 2008 to enhance service and coverage. The result is the nation's largest, most reliable 3G network that powers services such as Mobile Broadband and email.

Businesses of any size can tap into the power of Mobile Broadband. The service allows users to connect to the Internet wirelessly while on the go to download music over-the-air, and access e-mail or corporate data. For example, customers can download a small 1 megabyte PowerPoint(R) presentation in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Small business owners interested in Mobile Broadband, and other wireless solutions, can visit http://smallbusiness.vzw.com where they will find:

* An online forum to share experiences and connect with other business owners
* Access to Small Business Specialists in each Verizon Wireless store
* Discounts and promotions to help businesses stretch their budgets
* Summaries of mobile solutions like email, wireless Internet and Push to Talk service
* 24/7 tech support

Verizon Wireless tests its network and those of its competitors. The company determines if voice calls and data connections are successful on the first attempt and stay connected. Nationally, Verizon Wireless' real-life test men and women drive 91 specially equipped vehicles almost 1,000,000 miles annually. They drive on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and streets in high-population areas, based upon U.S. Census counts. 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.

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).