COWs Converge on Greensboro, GA; The Verizon Wireless Network Ready to Handle Heavy Volume for Southern Governor's Association Annual Meeting.

ATLANTA -- In preparation for the 2005 Southern Governor's Association (SGA) Annual Meeting in Greensboro, GA this weekend, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable voice network, has expanded its network around the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Greensboro with a Cell-On-Wheels (COW) to expand network coverage. The meeting, starting Saturday August 27 through Tuesday August 30 will host governors and their staff from around the south. Founded in 1934, the SGA is the oldest and historically the largest of the regional governors' associations. The association's membership is composed of the governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia.

Verizon Wireless's COW, a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site, will be located in the Greene County near the Ritz Carlton for the conference events. The COW has the same call capacity as a freestanding cell site and can handle both CDMA digital calls and wireless data and Internet service.

"Obviously wireless service will be in high demand this weekend in that area," said Jim McGean, Verizon Wireless Georgia/Alabama region president. "The SGA's meeting automatically means that there will be a large concentration of people who need reliable wireless service to be able to execute their ongoing responsibilities. Verizon Wireless, as always, is committed to making sure they can make those calls."

The company's long tradition of investment in its network, including stringent quality testing, is rooted in Verizon Wireless' commitment to offer the most reliable wireless service. Known for its award winning service, Verizon Wireless has regularly invested more than $4 billion nationally each year since its inception -- and more than $5 billion last year alone -- to expand and upgrade its nationwide wireless network. In Georgia alone to date in 2005, Verizon Wireless has invested over $125 million in network enhancements.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) 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.