Verizon Wireless Selects Lucent Technologies for CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A Technology; Rev. A Enables Verizon Wireless to Provide a Range of New Services Including Voice over IP.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. & MURRAY HILL, N.J. -- Verizon Wireless and Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced that Verizon Wireless has selected Lucent to deploy CDMA2000(R) 1xEV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) technology into its nationwide network. Lucent's Rev. A solution, which consists of incremental hardware and software upgrades to Verizon Wireless' existing Lucent-supplied base stations, will enable Verizon Wireless to introduce a range of new services such as enhanced push-to-talk, messaging, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

With this agreement, Lucent will continue to be one of Verizon Wireless' primary next-generation network infrastructure suppliers. Financial details are not being disclosed.

"EV-DO Rev. A is a robust technology that will allow us to provide our customers with new services that blend voice, data, video and multimedia applications," said Ed Salas, vice president of network planning, Verizon Wireless. "Lucent has long been a key partner and has helped us provide our customers the most satisfying wireless experience possible. Going forward, we're going to count on Lucent as we roll out services, like Voice Over IP, that will help advance the way people communicate."

Verizon Wireless and Lucent completed the industry's first, live, over-the-air calls using EV-DO Rev. A technology in August 2005, and have since conducted live VoIP and video telephony calls using the EV-DO Rev. A Quality of Service (QoS) feature.

"Verizon Wireless and Lucent have been working together for years to deliver the most advanced mobile services to end users, and this agreement is another example of this continuing effort," said Lisa DeLaurentis, vice president of sales for Lucent Technologies. "Our EV-DO Rev. A solution will enable Verizon Wireless to cost-effectively upgrade its network to support new and exciting lifestyle- and productivity-enhancing services."

CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A is an enhanced version of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO that increases the efficiency, data speeds and capacity of existing EV-DO networks. EV-DO Rev. A enables users to receive data (forward link) at speeds up to 3.1 Megabits per second (Mbps) and send data (reverse link) at speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. These increased forward and reverse link data speeds reduce data latency and will enable operators such as Verizon Wireless to deliver VoIP and other multimedia services.

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.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association.