Hurricane Season '06: Verizon Wireless is Ready; Georgians Urged To Consider Their Emergency Communications Plans.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Year-Round Focus Keeps Network Prepared To Serve Georgia Customers In Times Of Severe Weather

With the start of the 2006 hurricane season upon us, Georgia residents should expect another active severe storm season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) hurricane research division predicts a "very active" season in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico this year: 13 to 16 tropical storms, and four to six could become major hurricanes. Preparation is critical in emergencies, and it's important that Georgia residents communicate and stay safe before, during and after storms. And Verizon Wireless makes sure their network lives up to its reputation as the nation's most reliable.

Verizon Wireless preparation for the 2006 hurricane season includes:

--The Verizon Wireless network is built for reliability in emergencies, with battery back-up power at all facilities, as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and at more than 70% of our cell site locations in Georgia. This capability is critical when power goes out and if roads are impassable in the wake of a storm. Throughout the southeast, about 90 percent of the company's cell sites in hurricane-prone regions have on-site back-up generators, which are routinely tested to ensure they are ready in the event the local electrical power source is knocked out.

--The company has in Georgia a fleet of Cells on Wheels (COWs), which are self-powered transmitters that can be quickly deployed into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network capacity. Network teams also have hundreds of generators ready to go to further strengthen the network.

--Verizon Wireless is fully prepared to again quickly set up wireless emergency communication centers (WECCs) to serve residents and rescue agencies in the area(s) in the greatest need.

--The company has developed and practiced a comprehensive emergency response plan, including preparing emergency command centers in the case of a storm or crisis.

In the aftermaths of hurricanes that swept through Florida and Louisiana last year, the Verizon Wireless network significantly outperformed the competition. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina last year, Verizon Wireless drive tests found the company's network averaged an impressive 90% call completion rate in impacted areas after the storm, compared to rates of 79% and lower among competitors. As a result, thousands of hurricane victims and emergency workers turned to Verizon Wireless, which set up its Wireless Emergency Calling Centers to enable calling for communities devastated by the storm and to distribute wireless phones that worked to disaster relief agencies and other community groups. The Verizon Wireless commitment paid off in hurricane seasons the past two years.

Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion - on average $5 billion every year - since the company was formed six years ago to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new capabilities. Continuing the tradition of consistent network investment to date in 2006, Verizon Wireless has invested over $60 million in network enhancements and expansion across Georgia and Alabama.

"We take our role in public safety very seriously," said Jim McGean, president of Verizon Wireless-Georgia/Alabama region. "Preparing for emergencies is an important part of our huge investment to build the most reliable wireless network for Georgia."

Verizon Wireless also offers Georgia residents these tips to be safer during severe weather:

--Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged - in case local power is lost - well before warnings are issued and have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for back-up power.

--Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers programmed into your phone.

--Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you will be away from your home or have to evacuate.

--Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations. Send brief TXT messages rather than voice calls for the same reason.

--Check weather and news reports available on many internet-connected and other wireless phone applications when power is out.

(Editor's Note: Video footage with helpful tips for consumers to prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather is available in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. To accompany a Verizon Wireless Test Man or to visit one of the company's Emergency Command Centers in preparation of a storm, contact Caran Smith at 678-339-4891.)

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, 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.