Residents of Burleigh and Kidder Counties, North Dakota, to Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Enhancements

New Cell Sites Mean Clearer Reception, Fewer Dropped Calls

BISMARCK, N.D., Feb. 13 -- Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer loyalty, has activated new cell sites in Robinson and northwest Bismarck, which will enable more customers in Burleigh and Kidder counties to use their wireless phones concurrently 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.

The new cell site in Robinson improves coverage within the town and along State Highway 36 east for seven miles and west to near the town of Tuttle. Coverage also extends from the intersection of 34th Avenue Southeast and Highway 36 north for four miles and south for eight miles.

The new cell site in northwest Bismarck, located just south of the Hawktree Golf Club, improves coverage in the area along State Highway 1804 and 15th Street Northwest, as far north as 100th Avenue Northwest, as far south as Restful Drive, as far east as Valley Vista Lane and as far west as the Missouri River.

"Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless," said Nancy Clark, president-Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. "We realize network reliability--getting through on the first try and maintaining a connection--is critical to our customers. We continue to optimize our network so that we can provide our customers the best overall experience."

These new cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in North Dakota and throughout the country. 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 national network and to add new services. In 2008, the company invested more than $20.9 million in its North Dakota network improvements.

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). 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.