ACCG and Verizon Wireless Announce Innovative Collaboration to Provide Statewide Voice and Data Coverage in Georgia; Deal Includes Use of Largest High Speed Wireless Network in Nation.

ATLANTA -- Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's best, most reliable wireless network, have announced an innovative collaboration designed to provide wireless voice and data services to County Governments across Georgia. Effective October 31, 2005, ACCG has agreed to endorse Verizon Wireless as the preferred wireless service provider for county governments statewide. Under the agreement, ACCG has also committed to help promote the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) contract which Verizon Wireless executed with the State in February, 2005. The GTA contract includes a cooperative purchasing provision that enables County Governments to pool their purchasing power with the State of Georgia to receive significantly greater discounts on Verizon Wireless products and services. In addition, Verizon Wireless has agreed to extend an attractive discount on monthly access to over 50,000 County Government employees.

The agreement culminates a diligent process between the two organizations aimed at pairing the state's goal to expand economic growth by bringing technology to non-metro areas with Verizon Wireless's ability to provide statewide coverage for voice and data services. "ACCG is committed to pursuing viable opportunities for developing strong, working relationships with our private sector counterparts," says Jerry Griffin. "I am confident this agreement with Verizon Wireless will do just that, and will serve as a pioneer for future projects to come."

As evidence of its commitment to deliver America's best, most reliable wireless network, over the last two years, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $330 Million to expand its wireless network in Georgia. This overall investment continues the company's "best wireless network" promise by adding network coverage and capacity statewide, including sizeable investments in rural and suburban markets.

Over and above wireless voice service, Verizon Wireless' high speed wide-area BroadbandAccess wireless data service is offered in metro Atlanta area and has recently been expanded to include Athens. Verizon Wireless' BroadbandAccess service is the largest high-speed wireless network in the U.S. with typical user speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps) and is available to more than 140 million Americans in 171 major metropolitan areas and is expanding coast to coast. BroadbandAccess provides mobile county workers full access to information, just as if they were attached via a high-speed wired connection, but with the freedom of true mobility. From a security perspective, the company's network is built on CDMA technology, originally developed for military applications, which provides reliable and network-wide security that is critical for government entities.

"We're proud to have been chosen to provide the nation's best wireless service to our government employees throughout Georgia," says Jim McGean, president of the Georgia/Alabama Region for Verizon Wireless. "These require reliable, secure and extensive wireless communication. We are committed and will continue to invest in our network, deliver outstanding customer service and offer valuable products and services to our government customers."

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 49.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and 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.

About ACCG

Established in 1914 with 19 charter members, ACCG is the consensus building, training, service and legislative advocacy organization of all of Georgia's 159 county governments. ACCG brings counties statewide together on matters of public policy that have special impact on local governments.

To view the ACCG/Verizon Wireless Signing Ceremony, please visit www.accg.org.