Verizon Wireless Customers in Montana Get Faster Wireless Broadband Network

Verizon Wireless customers in Montana can now access e-mail, everyday corporate data, the Internet and more at faster speeds – and upload files up to nine times faster than before.

Verizon Wireless is rolling out the next generation of its high-speed broadband network in greater Helena, Missoula and Billings.

The enhanced wireless broadband network, based on CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology, provides Verizon Wireless customers with data uplink speeds significantly faster than the company’s award-winning national EV-DO network.

The faster network coverage areas include:

* Helena, including historic downtown, Carroll College, the State Capitol, Civic Center, Lewis and Clark fairgrounds and North Hills;

* Missoula, including Stevensville, the Bitterroot Valley, the lower Flathead Valley and Big Arm;

* Billings area, including Huntley and East Laurel.

Verizon Wireless’ national wireless broadband network, the first in the nation, is already available to more than 200 million people in 242 major metropolitan areas and 180 major airports from coast to coast.

The company’s existing EV-DO network enables customers to access BroadbandAccess on their laptops, e-mail on their PDAs, and V CAST Video and Music on their wireless phones.

“Montana customers are already enjoying the benefits of our broadband wireless network. We’re taking wireless to the next level by introducing a technology upgrade that helps customers work even faster and enjoy a more robust wireless data experience,” said Melanie Braidich, regional president of Verizon Wireless.

“The launch of this next generation of our high-speed broadband network is part of our ongoing, significant investment in the state of Montana.”

Verizon Wireless invested more than $30 million to enhance its Montana voice and data network last year and more than $125 million over the last five years.

The company’s flagship business data service, BroadbandAccess, will run faster and more efficiently with the new network enhancements, providing customers with faster access for sending and uploading data.

For example, BroadbandAccess customers in enhanced wireless broadband coverage areas can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. This translates to being able to download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment – the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file – in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Devices that take advantage of Verizon Wireless’ wireless enhanced broadband network include the new V740 ExpressCard, the compact USB720 wireless modem, the AirCard 595 and PC5750 PC Card. All of these devices are fully compatible with both the company’s wireless broadband network and its NationalAccess network (based on CDMA 1xRTT technology).

For more information about Rev. A coverage, speeds and devices go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/reva. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2-JOIN-IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 60.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD)(LSE:VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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.

Contacts

Verizon Wireless
Bob Kelley, 303-694-8990
[email protected]