Who's Winning after Two Years of Nationwide Local Number Portability?; Wireless Users and Verizon Wireless.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -- Unsatisfied consumers who plan to switch wireless carriers in the next three months said Verizon Wireless would be their top carrier of choice, according to a recent survey by the NPD Group, a leading consumer and retail information company. Verizon Wireless, the first carrier to call for easy, barrier-free porting for customers, remains the industry leader in customer retention, based on published "churn," customer retention, statistics.

When the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate for Local Number Portability went into effect nationwide nearly two years ago, millions of consumers changed wireless carriers taking their phone number with them. They are still switching.

"Number portability gives consumers the power to choose the best carrier for their needs," said Rich Garwood, Northern California/Nevada regional president for Verizon Wireless. "Making it easy for our customers to do business with us is just one of the ways we deliver the best wireless experience and lead the industry in customer loyalty."

In the last six years, the company has invested nearly $4 billion in its California network and $30 billion nationwide -- $5 billion on average every year since the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. Click here http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/awards.jsp to view selection of 2005 product and service awards.

Consumers can learn more about local number portability and products and services from Verizon Wireless online at www.verizonwireless.com, by calling a Verizon Wireless Customer Representative at 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or by visiting a Verizon Wireless Communications Store.

Editor's note: LNP went into effect November 2003 for major metropolitan areas and in May 2004 the rest of the nation followed.

Porting tips:

1. Switch before disconnecting your current wireless service

2. Have your existing wireless contract or bill with you.

3. Make the request yourself. To protect your privacy, only the account holder can request a port

Visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/lnp/index.jsp for more information.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million voice and data customers. With headquarters in Bedminster, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE:VOD) (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.