New York’s Hudson Valley Residents To Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion

Investing to Stay Ahead of Growing Demand for Wireless Calling, Data Access and Music

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY —In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents in Dutchess, Ulster and Greene Counties, Verizon Wireless has expanded its network with new cell sites in Poughkeepsie, Kerhonkson and Cairo.

* The new Poughkeepsie site improves coverage and capacity in the Town of Poughkeepsie and along New York State Route 113 between New York State Route 9 and County Route 77.
* The new Kerhonkson site improves coverage and capacity in the Village of Kerhonkson, along Route 290 from Stevens Road to County Route 6, on Bloomingdale Road from Route 209 to Robinson Street, and on Route 44 through the Shawangunk Mountain range.
* The new Cairo site improves coverage and capacity along Route 23 from Cairo Junction Road to Route 31, Route 32 from Cairo Junction Road to Meadow Lane, and in the Town of Cairo.

This network expansion is part of the company’s aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless’ voice and data services. The company has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed -- $5.5 billion on average every year.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on,” said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York region. “We continue to aggressively invest in our Upstate New York network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers and to add new services.”

Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, ESPN MVP and MobileBroadband, the company’s high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and business customers. It provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless’ services continued during the first quarter of 2009 as the company added 1.3 million net new customers. Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer loyalty, reported the lowest customer turnover (highest customer loyalty) rate in the industry – 1.47 percent in the first quarter – for the 18th consecutive quarter.

The company’s “nation’s most reliable wireless network” reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and test women throughout the country. These engineers drive about 90 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.