Residents in Union County, Illinois, to Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Enhancements / New Cell Sites Mean Clearer Reception, Fewer Dropped Calls

WOLF LAKE, Ill., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer loyalty, has activated three new cell sites in Wolf Lake, Ware and McClure that provide continuous coverage along Illinois State Highway 3 as far north as the Big Muddy River and as far south as East Cape Girardeau. These network enhancements will enable more customers 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.

In addition to improved coverage along Highway 3, the new cell site in Wolf Lake improves coverage in the LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological area of the Shawnee National Forest. In Ware, coverage also is improved along Highway 146 from the Black Diamond Highway in the east to the intersection with Highway 3 in the west.

"Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless," said Brendan Fallis, president-Kansas/Missouri/Southern Illinois Region, Verizon Wireless. "Getting through on the first try and maintaining a connection are important to our customers. We continue to optimize our network so that it remains the most reliable in the nation."

These network improvements are part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Illinois 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 $179.5 million in its Illinois 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 and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit 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.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Cheryl Bini Armbrecht, [e-mail], or
Brenda Hill, [e-mail], both of Verizon Wireless,
[phone]; or Caroline Villanueva, [phone],
[e-mail], for Verizon Wireless

Web Site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/