First Stores in Arkansas Open for Business on December 15

Media Contact Info

Jimmy Duvall
Jimmy.Duvall@VerizonWireless.com
972-444-5515

Bob Steel or Andrea Morrissey
Stone Ward
bsteel@stoneward.com
amorrissey@stoneward.com
501-604-6155 or 501- 604-6148

12/12/2005

LITTLE ROCK, AR — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced today that the company will begin offering service in the Little Rock area on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Open in time for the busy holiday shopping season, customers will be able to purchase the latest voice and data products at the following Verizon Wireless Communications Stores:

• West Little Rock, 12018 Chenal Parkway
• North Little Rock, 4000 East McCain 
• Park Plaza Mall, 6000 West Markham

Additionally, two Verizon Wireless stores in Circuit City locations will open in January 2006:

• Verizon Wireless in Circuit City, 109 Markham Park Drive, Little Rock
• Verizon Wireless in Circuit City, 4339 Warden Road, North Little Rock

Verizon Wireless products and services will also be available at several indirect locations throughout the area by early next year, including Best Buy.

“We’re eager to show the people of Arkansas why Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as the top wireless company in the country,” said Luis M. Cruz, region president for Verizon Wireless. “People have seen our ads for years focusing on what it takes to offer the best wireless network. Now it’s their opportunity to experience first-hand the nation’s most reliable network and a staff of dedicated sales and customer service professionals.”

In 2005 and 2006, Verizon Wireless will invest up to $200 million to build 175 cell sites in central Arkansas, with 107 of those cell sites complete by the end of this year. Initial service will be available in Little Rock and North Little Rock, as well as communities surrounding the metropolitan area including Jacksonville, Maumelle and Sherwood. Coverage will also connect east along Interstate 40 to existing Verizon Wireless service in Memphis.

“In addition to adding new jobs and contributing to the state’s economy, we’re going to offer new, innovative wireless products to the residents and businesses of central Arkansas,” said Randy Johnson, district manager for Verizon Wireless in Arkansas. “A great example of one of our unique services is we provide in-store technicians who can provide technical assistance and make phone repairs on the spot.”

Verizon Wireless is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer satisfaction by providing a positive wireless experience to its 49.3 million customers. The company has regularly invested more than $4 billion nationally each year since its inception – and more than $8 billion in the last 18 months – to expand and upgrade the nation’s most reliable wireless network.

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.