Ref: Verizon preps Georgia residents for hurricane season

| 06.03.2008 | 09:52:457695 |

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With an Active 2008 Severe Weather Season Soon to Begin, Georgians are Urged to Make Emergency Communications Plans



Verizon Wireless Prepares Georgia Network, over $80 Million Invested in
State in 2008

ATLANTA, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, builder and operator
of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has completed wide-ranging
preparations for the 2008 Hurricane and Severe Weather Season to ensure
Georgians have strong, comprehensive wireless coverage and service in case
of heavy storms, and every day. The company has spent over $80 million in
Georgia to strengthen and enhance its wireless network to date in 2008.

In addition, the Verizon Wireless team of "test men and women"
consistently rolls across the state in a fleet of test vehicles to fine
tune its all-digital network and ensure reliable, comprehensive coverage
all year long. These kinds of intensive investments and preparations prove
critical in severe weather. In times of crisis, Verizon Wireless' network
has proven itself capable of remaining strong, while many other wireless
communication networks struggled to serve residents and emergency response
officials.

"We've seen first hand the need for reliable wireless communication
before, during and after an emergency situation, which is why we work
year-round to ensure that our network is ready," said Jeff Mango, president
-- Georgia/Alabama region for Verizon Wireless. "We're not going to let our
guard down, because wireless communication is so important during
emergencies. We will continue to heavily invest, thoroughly prepare and
tirelessly work to provide stand-out reliability and ensure Georgians can
use their phones if severe weather strikes Georgia this year."

The Verizon Wireless network is built for reliability in emergencies,
with battery back up power at all facilities and generators installed at
all switching facilities and many cell site locations. The company has
enhanced its network along the Georgia coast and along all evacuation
routes for more than 100 miles inland in order to be able to immediately
double the calling capacity for evacuees in the event a hurricane threatens
the Georgia, South Carolina or Florida coastline. In addition to having a
fleet of portable generators ready to be deployed to provide emergency
power to those cell sites without permanent generators, Verizon Wireless
customers now have improved call delivery reliability due to the addition
of call routing alternatives during coastal storms.*

Additional Verizon Wireless preparation for the 2008 hurricane season
includes:


-- Verizon Wireless has invested $5 billion on average every year since
the company was formed to increase the coverage and capacity of its
national network and to add new services.
-- The company has expanded its EV-DO wireless broadband network,
including launching its highest-speed Rev. A network throughout the
state. This allows the most advanced wireless services (downloads,
location-based applications, video messaging, etc.) and makes the
network more robust for usage by residents and emergency agencies.
-- Verizon Wireless is fully prepared to set up Wireless Emergency
Communication Centers* (WECCs) to serve residents and rescue agencies
in the area(s) in the greatest need. The company also has a fleet of
Cells on Wheels (COWS) and Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and
generators on trailers (GOaTS) that can be rolled into hard-hit
locations.
-- The company has developed and practiced a comprehensive emergency
response plan, including preparing emergency command centers in the
case of a storm or crisis.
-- Verizon Wireless has a Communications Store on wheels* ready to roll.
The 35-foot trailer will allow Verizon Wireless to maintain retail
operations in areas when company stores are not able to open or when
retail services are needed in areas where natural disaster strikes,
enabling customers to purchase the wireless phones and accessories
they need.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking
Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 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.