Verizon Wireless Network Ready to Take the Heat; Company's Preparedness and Network Investments Keep Customers Connected Wirelessly During Blackouts and Other Summer Emergencies

Business Wire, July 14, 2005

IRVINE, Calif. -- With forecasts calling for hotter-than-normal temperatures, some predict the nation's power grid in Southern California will be put to the test again this summer. Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, is prepared to keep its wireless network up and running in Southern California during power outages that may result from increased demand for electricity due to rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions.

The Verizon Wireless network is built for reliability in emergencies -- like power blackouts and storms -- with redundancies in place to maintain services for customers when they need it most.

--The company's Southern California network, covering nearly 30,000 square miles, has been made increasingly reliable by the integration of microwave cell sites to its standard network, making it the largest such deployment in the western United States.

--All facilities have battery back-up and, for additional reliability, generators are also installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.

--The company maintains fleets of portable generators that can be deployed to provide emergency power during extended power outages to cell sites without permanent generators.

--In Southern California, Verizon Wireless has linked its switching stations, which manage cell sites, with more than 800 miles of fiber optic cable, increasing network reliability.

--Verizon Wireless also operates "Cells on Wheels" (COWs) and "Cells on Light Trucks" (COLTs), fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell sites that can enhance coverage and capacity whenever and wherever necessary.

"We continue to invest in network improvements locally and across the country to ensure we are ready to operate during blackouts and other emergencies," said Marni Walden, regional president, Verizon Wireless.

Since the company was formed in June 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $3.3 billion in its California network to further expand and enhance its wireless voice and data network and safeguard network reliability. In 2004 alone the company invested nearly $600 million in its California network.

Verizon Wireless has regularly demonstrated its network's performance reliability during and after times of emergency. For example, the company's wireless service performed without interruption during the Southern California wildfires of 2005 and 2004, as well as the region's recent mudslides. The company's reliability measures, including the use of several COWs, ensured that calls continued to go through our network for both our customers and the firefighters fighting the blazes.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers. With headquarters in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD)(LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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.>

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