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Verizon Wireless Extends Wireless Broadband Network to San Benito County in Northern California; BroadbandAccess and V CAST Services Now Available in Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos and Other LocalesWALNUT CREEK, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- April 3, 2006 -- Verizon Wireless today announced its expansion of two wide-area wireless broadband services, BroadbandAccess and V CAST, to San Benito County in Northern California. With today's expansion, Verizon Wireless customers can enjoy the benefits of true mobility on the nation's largest high-speed wireless broadband network while traveling throughout the Greater Bay Area and Sacramento, and as far south as Hollister, San Juan Bautista, and Tres Pinos. "BroadbandAccess gives mobile workers access to critical business information when they need it, where they need it -- taking mobility to a whole new level. And with V CAST, consumers can access the latest in video programming to stay connected, informed and entertained via their wireless phones," said Rich Garwood, Northern California/Nevada regional president for Verizon Wireless. "Now it's possible for people to have continuous wireless broadband Internet access while working in the field, commuting in a van-pool, or entertaining the kids with VCAST sports, cartoon or music concert videos during a road trip." Verizon Wireless' wireless broadband -- or EV-DO (evolution-data optimized) -- network is now available to more than 150 million people coast to coast. Verizon Wireless launched the first wireless wide-area broadband service in 2003, and built the nation's first wireless wide area broadband network. BroadbandAccess The company's nationally recognized BroadbandAccess service allows customers to connect wirelessly to the Internet via their laptop at broadband speeds for a convenient way to conduct business anywhere within the BroadbandAccess Coverage Area. Because EV-DO technology is backward compatible -- a distinct advantage to using CDMA technology -- customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess coverage area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess service, which runs on the company's 1xRTT network. For a limited time, Verizon Wireless customers with a new or existing voice plan can receive unlimited BroadbandAccess for $59.99 monthly access for Internet browsing, email and intranet access. A new 2-year customer agreement is required. For non-voice customers, BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access for unlimited internet browsing, email and intranet access with a new one- or two-year customer agreement. For more information on BroadbandAccess from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/broadbandaccess. V CAST Verizon Wireless' V CAST service gives customers access to short video content, downloadable music, and cutting-edge 3D games on their mobile phone. With V CAST, customers can get short video content on-demand, including current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming. Customers with a V CAST Music-enabled phone are able to play music from well-known and independent artists on their wireless phones -- the same device they have come to rely upon for entertainment, information and mobile communication. V CAST also allows customer to download and play cutting-edge 3D games for an additional charge. Customers need a V CAST enabled phone and a $15.00 monthly subscription to the V CAST VPak added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan to access V CAST video content and games on their phones. For the same monthly access, customers with a V CAST Music-enabled phone can also browse the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music online catalog with over a half million songs to choose from, download music over the air, and listen to music on their mobile phone and from their PC. V CAST Music songs cost $0.99 if purchased from the PC or $1.99 if purchased and downloaded over the air onto a V CAST Music phone. Syncing music to the phone from a PC requires specific software and a compatible USB cable (sold separately). For more information visit www.getvcast.com. EV-DO Network BroadbandAccess and V CAST run on Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network, which began commercial operation in October 2003 in San Diego and Washington, D.C. and is now the largest high-speed wireless broadband network in the country. Verizon Wireless' EV-DO network initially made its commercial debut with BroadbandAccess wireless Internet access service for business customers and mobile professionals. The company launched its V CAST wireless broadband multimedia service in February 2005. For a map of BroadbandAccess and V CAST coverage, please visit www.verizonwireless.com. Verizon Wireless has invested $30 billion in the last six years -- $5 billion on average every year since 2000 when the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. For more information on V CAST or BroadbandAccess from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers can contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ. EDITOR'S NOTES: For network cell site images go to www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. Test Man/Woman Ride-Along Program Specially equipped Verizon Wireless test vehicles simultaneously test seven wireless providers, using a computerized program to generate phonically diverse "conversations" as well as data transmissions. Members of the media who are interested in setting up an interview ride-along with a local member of the Verizon Wireless team of real-life test men and women, are invited to contact Heidi Flato at 925-279-6545. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, 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. |
