Verizon Completes Industry-Leading 100G Ethernet Field Trial Tweet

Latest Trial With Alcatel-Lucent on Metropolitan Facilities Advances Technology by Successfully Supporting Switched Ethernet Services at Super-Fast Speeds.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. -- Continuing to lead the industry in 100G technology, Verizon has completed a field trial carrying 100 gigabit-per-second Ethernet traffic on a metropolitan Ethernet infrastructure. Using Alcatel-Lucent equipment deployed in Verizon's Switched Ethernet Services network, the trial successfully transmitted data over 12.7 kilometers (7.9 miles) of field fiber in the company's Dallas area network.

Verizon SES is a next-generation switched Ethernet service enabling customers to easily interconnect their locations within a metrowide network as well as access private and public wide area networks (WANs) using optical fiber-based access. Ethernet service is well-suited for numerous customer applications, based on its ability to provide point-to-point and multipoint connectivity options combined with multiple classes of service and increments of bandwidths.

Demand for SES is increasing, driven by trends such as wireless carriers using Ethernet backhaul to stay ahead of the growing demand for high-bandwidth wireless services. Verizon currently provides links for thousands of cell sites and mobile switching offices from its advanced fiber-optic network, using Ethernet-based technology.

"With this 100G Ethernet trial, Verizon is preparing for the future and the need to meet our customers' bandwidth needs in the metro Ethernet space," said Jean McManus, executive director of technology for Verizon. "The network of tomorrow will include building blocks such as 100G Ethernet that allow us to scale our switched Ethernet core as access speeds and customer demands increase."

The trial, which ran from June 14 – 18, used existing Alcatel-Lucent 7450 switching equipment with new plug-in cards to place native 100GE traffic on a single fiber, creating the high-speed links.

"Our goal is to show 100GE can be carried on a metro network and do it with current equipment that avoids major changes -- and the associated costs -- to the existing network infrastructure," said McManus.

Alcatel-Lucent's 7450 ESS nodes used 100 GE service interfaces with 100GBASE-LR10 optics, which provide low-cost, high-bandwidth transport over distances of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Verizon is at the forefront of accelerating the availability and adoption of 100GE technology.

"A seamless transition to 100GE leveraging existing Alcatel-Lucent IP Routing platforms enables Verizon to expand its innovative Ethernet service offerings in a timely and efficient manner," said Robert Vrij, president of the Americas region at Alcatel-Lucent. "Services are the driver of revenues and the rationale for investment in the network. Our platforms deliver speed without compromising services, leveraging our breakthrough 100G silicon innovation and long-standing relationships with leading service providers such as Verizon."

Alcatel-Lucent offers the industry's first 100GE interfaces that deliver the full range of routed and switched services for residential, business and mobile services. Deployed in networks serving metropolitan areas -- at the service edge or in the core of the network -- Alcatel-Lucent's modules extend the applicability of 100GE far beyond core transport. Combined with 100G optical transport technology, Alcatel-Lucent offers exceptional end-to-end scalability, performance and compatibility to help support bandwidth scaling and control costs -- key tenets of Alcatel-Lucent's High Leverage Network (HLN) architecture.

In each of the past four years, Verizon has received top awards, including "International Service Provider of the Year" and "Service Provider of the Year – Best in Business," from the Metro Ethernet Forum on the strength of the company's comprehensive and robust Ethernet portfolio, extensive geographic coverage and industry innovation.

Verizon's SES network supports Ethernet LAN (E-LAN) and Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) metro services. E-LAN is a multipoint-to-multipoint bridging service designed for any-to-any connectivity between dedicated ports. EVPL is an all-fiber optic network service that connects subscriber locations at native LAN speeds using point-to-point Ethernet virtual connections.

This latest trial follows Verizon's deployment of the first live 100G commercial system on its European optical core network between Paris and Frankfurt as well as a series of successful 100G technology trials the company has previously completed.

In November 2007, Verizon and Alcatel-Lucent successfully completed the industry's first field test of 100G optical transmission on a live network route between Tampa, Fla., and Miami. In October 2008, Verizon and Nortel proved 100G transmission could perform with better tolerance for signal distortion than typically found in today's standard 10G wavelength. In September 2008, Verizon and Nokia Siemens Networks announced they had successfully transmitted data at 100G on a single wavelength for more than 1,040 kilometers, setting a new distance record over deployed fiber and demonstrating better performance than conventional transmission.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted transformation partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic industries such as defense, energy, healthcare, transportation, and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 15.2 billion in 2009 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent's blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.

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Phones And Network Aid Firefighters In Southern Colorado Tweet

Verizon Wireless boosts network capacity for town of Westcliffe; dispatches 50 wireless phones to support emergency response teams.

What:
Verizon Wireless engaged its Crisis Response Term (VCRT) to respond to a request from the U.S. Forest Service for additional cell phones and to boost wireless coverage for emergency personnel battling the wildfire near Westcliffe, Colorado.

The Medano Great Sand Dune Monument National Park fire has spread over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and threatens to burn more public and private property.

Expanding coverage and capacity to an existing cell site in the area enhances wireless coverage so that emergency response teams and other Verizon Wireless customers can make more calls and send more data transmissions.

When:
A Network Repeater and 50 emergency wireless phones were dispatched to Westcliffe, Colorado, Sunday evening, June 20.

Where:
The U.S. Forest Service Command Center established in Westcliffe, Colorado.

Why:
Verizon Wireless deploys mobile cell sites – or boosts the call-handling capacity of existing sites – to enhance its network when there is a natural disaster or other unplanned event. In the past year, Verizon Wireless has deployed mobile cell sites and other equipment to wildfire incidents around the country. Additionally, the company has provided hundreds of wireless phones with service to aid public safety officials and others.

Network Investment:
Verizon Wireless invested more than $109 million in its Colorado network in 2009. The company’s ongoing network investment now totals more than $900 million in Colorado and $59 billion nationally since its inception in 2000.

Reliability:
In addition to its fleet of mobile equipment, Verizon Wireless’ reputation as the nation’s most reliable network is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures. This has proven particularly valuable during natural disasters and other emergencies across the country.

Standard Verizon Wireless network-reliability features include battery back-up power at all facilities as well as generators installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.

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Verizon's Second Field Trial of 10 Gigabit-per-Second XG-PON Fiber-to-the-Premises System Affirms FiOS Network Design is Future-Ready Tweet

Test Includes Two Symmetrical 1 Gbps PC Links Running on the System.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Continuing to leverage the immense capacity of its fiber-to-the-home network, Verizon has completed a field trial of a second XG-PON fiber-optic distribution system connecting a FiOS customer location with 10 gigabits per second downstream to the home and 2.5 Gbps upstream. The test demonstrates the capability of the Verizon's FiOS network to accommodate a wide array of new and emerging video services and the growing demand for streaming video content and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

The latest field trial was conducted in May in Taunton, Mass., with a XG-PON system developed by Motorola, a supplier of BPON and GPON optical networking equipment to Verizon.

At the customer's home, the optical network terminal (ONT) received the 10/2.5 Gbps feed and used two data communication ports to simultaneously provide transmission speeds of close to 1 Gbps to each of two PCs inside the home. Combined, the two ports delivered approximately 1.85 Gbps in aggregate bandwidth in each direction.

Tests were designed to simulate what two different customers might experience while using their PCs to download, upload or share files to the Internet when served by a 10G PON system. In addition, speed tests were performed to Verizon's speed test server located more than 400 miles away in Reston, Va., realized speeds of up to 915 Mbps between the PC and the speed test server.

"XG-PON can provide the capacity needed to support the explosive growth in bandwidth envisioned for new and emerging services such as 3DTV and Ultra HD TV, and the growing demand for streaming video content to the PC and TV, as well as the increased use of concurrent applications," said Vincent O'Byrne, director of technology for Verizon's FTTP architecture and design effort.

Brian Whitton, executive director of technology for Verizon, said, "The continuing validation of XG-PON technology in the lab and in the field reaffirms Verizon's commitment to FiOS and its leadership in the broadband and entertainment industry."

The Verizon technology team plans to continue testing XG-PON with other suppliers in the laboratory and in the network, and also, by year-end, to submit to suppliers a request for information for XG-PON technology.

Alternate Network Link Tried

Verizon's latest groundbreaking field test used Motorola equipment deployed with dual fibers from an OLT (optical line terminal) in a Verizon switching facility to a combiner that coupled the XG-PON system with the existing GPON system. This is an approach covered in the standards. The dual fiber linkage is seen as a way to reduce the overall costs of XG-PON and is under investigation by suppliers and service providers. On the customer-facing side of the network, the test data traveled over a single FiOS fiber link to the customer test location.

"We continue to explore technologies that will allow Verizon to further evolve our FiOS network toward the functionality and speed the market will require," said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president of technology for Verizon. "As an example, it would take a customer less than three minutes to download a 20 gigabyte, Blu-ray movie over a 1 Gbps link, as opposed to close to four and a half hours over a 10 Mbps Internet connection. A business customer using this service could backup data on an online server every night in just a few minutes, as opposed to hours.

"As we've said before, the fiber itself is passive; it's what we do with the electronics that will leverage its capacity," he said.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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AT&T Completes Acquisition of Divestiture Properties from Verizon Wireless Tweet

Acquisition enhances AT&T's network coverage and connects rural Americans to leading-edge mobile broadband technologies.

AT&T* completed its acquisition of wireless assets from Verizon Wireless. The transaction enhances AT&T’s wireless network coverage in primarily rural areas in 79 service areas across 18 states. To secure regulatory approvals for its purchase of Alltel in 2009, Verizon Wireless agreed to divest the properties.

Once network transition work is completed, the approximately 1.6 million subscribers in these service areas will enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network — the nation’s fastest. AT&T expects to roll out its 3G service to all of the acquired properties.

“Mobile broadband is changing how we live our lives and transforming every sector of business, and AT&T is leading the way,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We’re excited that with this acquisition, AT&T will bring the benefits of mobile broadband to new subscribers. We mobilize everything for our customers by delivering the best 3G experience, the fastest 3G speeds nationwide, the most popular smartphones, an array of emerging devices like eReaders and netbooks, the ability to talk and browse the Web at the same time and access to more than 225,000 apps.”**

Integration Plans
The transaction extends AT&T’s wireless network coverage in primarily rural areas of Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Over a period of approximately 12 months, AT&T will launch service on a market-by-market basis as network integration work is completed. For now, there are no changes to customers’ phone numbers, rate plans, network coverage, customer service contacts or processes for making monthly bill payments. During network integration, customers will have the opportunity to select a device comparable to their existing device at no additional cost. They may also choose an upgraded handset from AT&T’s exciting lineup of industry-leading devices.*** Existing AT&T customer contracts are not affected.

The company will inform subscribers of changes in advance and is committed to making the transition as easy and convenient as possible while working to deliver a high level of service to affected customers. Rebranding to AT&T will also occur on a market-by-market basis as service is launched.

Subscribers joining AT&T will enjoy significant benefits. Today, AT&T offers voice and data coverage reaching 97 percent of Americans, the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider; more applications running over its network; and access to the nation’s fastest 3G network. Unlike some other wireless networks, AT&T’s 3G network enables subscribers to talk and e-mail or surf the Web at the same time. And thanks to the industry’s leading lineup of devices, more smartphone users have chosen AT&T than any other wireless carrier. Subscribers who choose smartphones and LaptopConnect cards with a current DataConnect Plan will also have access to AT&T’s entire nationwide Wi-Fi hot spot network at no additional charge.****

AT&T is also the undisputed leader in emerging consumer devices and a mobile broadband network of choice for most major consumer categories such as eReaders, netbooks, personal navigation devices and digital photo frames. Subscribers in the acquired service areas will have even more opportunities to take advantage of the connectivity delivered by this new class of mobile broadband devices.

Agreement Terms
Under terms of the agreement, AT&T is purchasing the assets for approximately $2.35 billion in cash. The transaction primarily represents former Alltel assets, but it also includes assets from Verizon Wireless and the former Rural Cellular Corporation.

The transaction adds customers and enhances network coverage and is expected to deliver substantial long-term stockholder value. Wireless is the largest growth driver and value creator in the telecommunications industry, and this acquisition continues AT&T’s strong track record of investing in growth. In 2009 AT&T’s capital investments totaled $17.3 billion, and AT&T plans to invest between $18 and 19 billion in 2010, assuming a favorable regulatory environment, including an increase of approximately $2 billion over 2009 levels in wireless network and supporting wireline backhaul investments.

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Exclusive: Motorola Droid 2 / Droid X Live Wallpaper Tweet

The new live wallpaper which will ship with the Droid X and Droid 2

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Verizon Wireless Increases Network Capacity In Bolingbrook, Illinois Tweet

Verizon Wireless Adds Cell Site to Stay Ahead of Customer Demand.

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site in Bolingbrook, Ill., that expands network capacity, enabling more customers in the area to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The new cell site, which is equipped with a permanent backup generator for times of emergency, improves voice and data network capacity from East 87th Street in the north to 107th Street in the south, and from North Weber Road in the west to North Schmidt Road in the east.

“This cell site was built to ensure that our customers in and around Bolingbrook can continue relying on their wireless phones for everything from making calls and sending messages to surfing the Internet and getting e-mail,” said T.J. Fox, president – Illinois/Wisconsin Region, Verizon Wireless. “The most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. That’s why we aggressively invest in our Illinois network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers and to continue to raise the bar in network reliability.”

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $59 billion since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $1.3 billion on improvements to its wireless network in Illinois.

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Droid X Release Set for July 2nd? Tweet

Motorola Droid lovers have been studying the recently posted Verizon teaser for the Droid X all day long. The hidden Easter eggs were revealed in our Verizon Droid X Teaser Analysis. The video confirms the 8 megapixel camera, HDMI output, DROID DOES branding, 4.3″ WVGA Screen, DroidLanding Twitter account, and July release date.

But, the most curious part of the video is at the end when the 07.2010 graphic mysteriously flickers and morphs into 7.02.2010. Does this mean that the Droid X is set for release on Friday, July 2nd of 2010? Only time will tell. But, one thing’s for sure: Verizon and Moto are hyping this device up majorly.

source

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Verizon Wireless, National Cherry Festival Team Up To Benefit Domestic Violence Organizations, Survivors In Michigan Tweet

Michiganders Asked to Help Collect 5,000 Used Phones by End of July.

OUTHFIELD, MI — Verizon Wireless has partnered with the National Cherry Festival to help domestic violence organizations and the women and children they serve through the collection of no-longer used wireless phones and equipment.

Verizon Wireless, which is the presenting sponsor of the 2010 National Cherry Festival, will donate $2 for every wireless phone collected in Michigan through the end of July, up to $10,000, to the National Cherry Festival Foundation. The Festival Foundation will allocate the dollars raised through this special HopeLine® drive to non-profit organizations committed to the awareness and prevention of domestic violence.

Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program turns no-longer-used wireless phones into support for domestic violence awareness and prevention organizations. Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to supply wireless phones with free airtime to survivors and to contribute grants to domestic violence agencies across the country. Phones that cannot be refurbished are recycled in an environmentally sound way.

Michiganders can drop off phones and accessories from any wireless service provider, in any condition, at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store in Michigan as well as at the National Cherry Festival office in Traverse City and at the festival itself. Collection boxes will be placed at various locations throughout the festival open space.

The Festival Foundation was created in 2008 by representatives of the National Cherry Festival to provide a means by which the greater Grand Traverse communities could support education and charitable efforts focusing on agriculture, tourism and the National Cherry Festival.

“We are thrilled to have Verizon Wireless on board, not only as presenting sponsor of the National Cherry Festival but also as a partner of the National Cherry Festival’s Foundation,” said Tim Hinkely, executive director of the National Cherry Festival. “HopeLine and its mission line up very well with the mission of the Festival Foundation. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the passion of two organizations and combine their resources to make a difference in our community.”

“So many of us tuck our old cell phones away for safe keeping when we get new ones, just in case we may need them one day,” said Greg Haller, president–Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “Before we know it, though, we’ve got a drawer full of phones not being used. We’re asking Michiganders to open those drawers, empty them out and help us collect 5,000 phones to benefit domestic violence survivors.”

The National Cherry Festival presented by Verizon Wireless will take place along the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay in the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City, Michigan, July 3 through July 10, 2010. Visit the Festival’s website at www.cherryfestival.org for an up-to-the minute schedule of events and information as well as for National Cherry Festival Foundation information.

For more information on Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

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Ham Lake, Minnesota, Residents To Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Enhancements Tweet

New Cell Site Means Clearer Reception, Fewer Dropped Calls.

HAM LAKE, MN — Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site in Ham Lake, which enables more customers to use their wireless phones to make calls, send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages, access the Internet, view high-quality videos, and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The new cell site, located near the intersection of State Highway 65 and County Road 61 improves coverage within Ham Lake and in the surrounding area as follows:

* North to 167th Avenue Northeast;
* South to Bunker Lake Boulevard Northeast;
* East to Naples Street Northeast; and
* West to University Avenue Northwest.

“We’re committed to advancing wireless capacity and coverage for all our customers,” said Seamus Hyland, president – Great Plains, Verizon Wireless. “The most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. We continue to optimize our network so that it remains the most reliable in the nation.”

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $59 billion since it was formed­­ – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. From 2001 through 2009, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $619.1 million on improvements to its network in Minnesota.

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Verizon EVP And CTO Dick Lynch Appointed To GSMA Board Tweet

LONDON, England — The GSMA today announced that Dick Lynch, EVP and CTO of Verizon, a leading telecommunications operator in the U.S., has been appointed to the GSMA’s Board. Lynch’s appointment follows Verizon gaining full membership to the GSMA as a result of its commitment to deploy commercial services based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the next-generation technology for Mobile Broadband and part of the GSM family of technologies, in 2010.

“We are delighted to welcome Dick and Verizon to the GSMA Board,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA. “A leader in the worldwide mobile communications industry through its delivery of innovative new services and as an early adopter of advanced technologies such as LTE, Verizon brings additional depth and experience to the GSMA Board. Dick’s expertise and leadership will be a tremendous asset as we work to identify and capitalise on new opportunities for our industry.”

Lynch, who has nearly 40 years experience in the mobile communications industry, said: “It is an honour to serve on the GSMA board. I expect that our new relationships with the broad global family of wireless companies will bring benefits to the American marketplace. This collaboration and outreach is significant as we build a full ecosystem around LTE, bringing together partners to build and grow our network, design new products, and put together the incredible new services that will make our lives better.”

Under Lynch’s leadership, Verizon Wireless* is on track to deploy LTE commercially in 25 to 30 markets across the US this year. The number of markets is expected to double within 15 months of the initial launch, and by the end of 2013, Verizon’s entire 3G footprint, covering 285 million Americans, is expected to be covered by the next-generation Mobile Broadband technology. Verizon Wireless is simultaneously working with other companies serving less-populated areas to bring the benefits of a coordinated LTE service to rural Americans quickly.

More than 100 operators from around the world have so far committed to plans, trials or deployments for LTE. The world’s first commercial LTE network was launched in Sweden in 2009 by TeliaSonera, with NTT DoCoMo and China Telecom on track to join Verizon Wireless in deploying commercial LTE services by the end of this year. LTE is expected to experience substantial growth over the coming years with Infonetics Research predicting the number of global LTE connections to exceed 72 million by 2013**.

The GSMA Board consists of thirteen of the largest operator groups in the world and twelve other operator members that are nominated to reflect the needs of smaller, independent organisations within the mobile industry and to ensure global representation. Members include America Movil, AT&T, Axiata, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, China Unicom, France Telecom, Hutchison Whampoa, KT Corporation, MTN, MTS, NTT DoCoMo, Orascom Telecom, Singapore Telecom, SK Telecom, Smart, Softbank, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telekom Austria, Telenor, T-Mobile International, Verizon, VimpelCom and Vodafone.

Notes to Editors
*Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).

** LTE Infrastructure and Subscribers Report, Infonetics Research, 2009.

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.

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For 8th Straight Year, Verizon Wireless Recognized As One Of The Best For I.T. Professiona Tweet

Company Places 8th on Computerworld’s 2010 Best Places to Work in I.T. List; Places in the Top 10 for the Second Straight Year.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Once again, Verizon Wireless is being recognized as one of the top workplaces for information technology (I.T.) professionals. This year, Verizon Wireless ranked eighth on Computerworld’s “Best Places to Work in I.T.” list and was once again the highest ranked wireless company.

Computerworld’s annual ranking of the top work environments for technology professionals is based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, diversity, career development, training and retention as well as extensive surveys of I.T. workers. This is the eighth straight year Verizon Wireless has made the list and the second straight year the company has ranked in the top 10.

“To be among the Best Places to Work in I.T., it’s not enough just to seek out and hire the most talented I.T. people, offer them competitive pay and provide great benefits,” said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld. “The organizations that made this year’s Best Places to Work list sustain a dynamic work environment in which I.T. professionals keep their hands on the latest technologies and work on projects that are business critical.”

Verizon Wireless currently employs more than 81,000 employees nationwide. In addition to being an industry leader in network reliability and customer loyalty, Verizon Wireless is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work and a leader in I.T. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

The “Best Places to Work in I.T.” 2010 survey results are published in the June 21 issue of Computerworld and online at www.computerworld.com.

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Verizon DROIDX Never Miss Tweet

The next generation of does. Droid Does.

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Droid Incredible: Sizzle Tweet

The future got here early. Meet the Droid Incredible by HTC. With the power of Android 2.1 and a 1 Ghz processor, it's nothing short of its name.

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Droid Incredible by HTC - Navigating the Home Screen Tweet

Tutorial for basic navigation and getting started with your Droid Incredible by HTC.

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AT&T, Verizon Global Wholesale to Keynote at Light Reading's Backhaul & Core Convergence Conference for Mobile Operators, Plus Featured Speakers From Tweet

Tower Cloud, WCAI, Level 3 & More.

NEW YORK -- UBM TechWeb's Light Reading (www.lightreading.com), the largest research-led media company serving the global communications marketplace, in collaboration with Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com), its prestigious market research division, will be hosting their tenth annual Backhaul Strategies for Mobile Operators Conference on June 23, 2010 in New York City. Backhaul Strategies & Core Convergence for Mobile Operators, co-chaired by Heavy Reading Senior Analysts Gabriel Brown and Patrick Donegan along with Senior Consultant Berge Ayvazian, is being expanded to embrace the theme of core convergence, but will again focus primarily on the progress that wireless operators are making in migrating their backhaul networks for dramatically increasing volumes and types of data traffic. Backhaul Strategies for Mobile Operators 2009 in New York was one of the industry's most successful backhaul events in 2009, with nearly 225 registrants and 115 attendees, of whom over 60 percent were from service providers or cable operators. Expected attendance for 2010 is between 200 and 300 attendees.

Backhaul Strategies & Core Convergence for Mobile Operators will feature keynote speaker Yiannis Argyropoulos, Ph.D., Architecture & Planning, AT&T, who will discuss AT&T's strategy for equipping its backhaul network to support GSM, EDGE, HSPA, and LTE traffic using fiber and next-generation microwave equipment. Also keynoting is Larry O'Neill, Manager of Ethernet Services, Verizon Global Wholesale, who will give a brief overview of the wireless market, detailing the requirements of the wireless carriers while citing the various ways that Verizon is addressing those needs with its Ethernet suite of products, also addressing where the wireless backhaul market is going in the future.

"Most wireless operators have largely figured out how they want to evolve their network to support the new data traffic volumes. But they are still only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of making all their final partner selections and executing on their roadmaps at the operational level," said Patrick Donegan. "Operators also need to consider adjusting their strategies in the light of new opportunities and challenges presented by LTE and WiMax such as the prospective convergence of core and backhaul elements."

Featured speakers include Fred B. Campbell Jr., President & CEO, Wireless Communications Association International; Ron Mudry, CEO, Tower Cloud; Howard Susskind, Senior Director Customer Network Planning, Level 3 Communications; and Association Sponsor speaker Rami Yaron, Mobile Backhaul Sub-Committee Member & MBH Ambassador for the Americas, MEF. Speakers from sponsoring companies will also be presenting. Sponsors include Super Platinum Sponsors Cisco and Tellabs; Platinum Sponsors Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson; Gold Sponsors: Accedian Networks, Aviat Networks, Ciena, DragonWave, Fujitsu, LSI Corp., Nokia Siemens Networks, Overture Networks, RAD Data Communications, Taqua, Telco Systems, and Transmode; and Silver Sponsors JDSU, NEC, and Transition Networks.

Registration for press and analysts is free. To register for Backhaul Strategies & Core Convergence for Mobile Operators in New York, please visit: www.lightreading.com/backhaulcore.

Contact:


Amy Averbook

Light Reading

212 600-3373

averbook@lightreading.com



About Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com)

Founded in 2000, Light Reading is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the $3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technological and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, and TelcoTV Asia, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Europe, and The Tower Summit @ CTIA, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives in the US, Europe, India, and China. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About UBM TechWeb (http://ubmtechweb.com)

UBM TechWeb, the global leader in technology media and professional information, enables people and organizations to harness the transformative power of technology. Through its core businesses – media solutions, marketing services, and professional information – UBM TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed brands, applications, and services in the technology market. More than 14.5 million business and technology professionals (CIOs, IT and IT Support managers, Web and digital professionals, software and game developers, government decision makers, and telecom providers) actively participate in UBM TechWeb's communities. UBM TechWeb brands include: global face-to-face events such as Interop, Game Developers Conference (GDC), Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; large-scale online networks such as InformationWeek, Light Reading, and Gamasutra; research, training, and certification services, including HDI, Pyramid Research, and InformationWeek Analytics; and market-leading magazines such as InformationWeek and Wall Street & Technology. UBM TechWeb is part of UBM, a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.

About United Business Media Limited (http://ubm.com)

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting, and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities – from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists – with integrated events, online, print, and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

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Clarksburg, West Virginia, Residents To Benefit From Verizon Wireless Network Expansion Tweet

Investment Increases Value for Consumers as Demand Grows for Wireless Voice, Multimedia and Internet Access.

CLARKSBURG, WV — Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the largest 3G network, has activated a new cell site in Clarksburg, which enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; view high quality videos; access the Internet; and download music, games and ringtones, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The site improves coverage from the town of Stealey southeast to U.S. Route 19 and along a portion of Winding Way.

“This new cell site was built to ensure that our customers who live and work in, or visit, Clarksburg can continue to rely on their phones for everything from making calls and sending messages to surfing the Internet and getting e-mail,” said Mark Frazier, president – Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “Network reliability is not just a catch phrase for us. It defines who we are.”

Verizon Wireless prepares its network year-round to ensure customers can use their wireless devices when they need them most. The company has spent more than $59 billion since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.

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Verizon Wireless ‘COW’ Offers Enhanced Coverage For Creation Festival Northeast In Pennsylvania Tweet

MT. UNION, PA — Verizon Wireless has installed a temporary cell site – called a COW, or Cell On Wheels – on the Agape Farm in Huntingdon County, to provide additional network calling capacity in anticipation of the thousands of visitors expected to flock to the region for the Creation Festival Northeast event, which runs from June 30 through July 3.

This service enhancement means that more customers can use the Verizon Wireless network concurrently to make calls or use data applications such as text, picture and video messaging during the four-day event.

“The Creation Festival attracts thousands of visitors, and that means additional demand for wireless service, even though it may be for just a few days,” said Mark Frazier – president, Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “Our COW enables us to meet that temporary increase in call volume and to provide our customers with the reliable network service they expect from Verizon Wireless.”

The COW is a fully functional, generator-powered cell site, which has the same call capacity as a freestanding cell site. This network enhancement is part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Pennsylvania and throughout the country.

Verizon Wireless prepares its network year-round to ensure customers can use their wireless devices when they need them most. The company has spent more than $59 billion since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.1 billion on improvements to its network in Pennsylvania.

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Taking A Trip This Summer? Don’t Forget To Pack Your Most Important Travel Companion: Your Verizon Wireless Smartphone Tweet

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Whether taking a family road trip to a nearby attraction or embarking on an exotic beach vacation, customers can count on the apps offered on Verizon Wireless’ extensive line-up of smartphones and the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network to keep summer travel fun and stress free.

Apps can help customers prepare for their journeys and enjoy their destinations when they arrive.

Making Travel Plans

* Kayak Flight and Hotel Search for Android devices and KAYAK for BlackBerry® help customers find great deals on hotels, flights, rental properties and cruises (available in Android Market™ and BlackBerry App World™).
* ZAGAT TO GO ’10 gives customers access to the Web’s most trusted guide to restaurant reviews and ratings from over 45 Zagat Guides covering dining, nightlife, hotels, and golf courses (available in Android Market for $9.99 and in BlackBerry App World for $19.99).
* TripAdvisor has the world’s most trusted travel advice for locations all over the world, including hotel reviews and rates, restaurant information and tools to share experiences with other travelers (available in Palm App Catalog).
* Skype mobile™ gives customers the planet in their pockets, allowing them to make unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls to friends and family around the corner or around the world. Currently available on 12 different smartphones with additional handsets, including several 3G Multimedia phones, coming later this year (pricing and availability may vary by device).

Taking the Stress Out of Travel

* FlightStats for Android provides flight statuses, departures, arrivals, airport delays, and other flight and airport information (available for $4.99 in Android Market).
* VZ Navigator® Global provides maps and turn-by-turn directions for international destinations, ensuring that unfamiliar areas and road signs in different languages don’t keep customers from arriving at their destinations (pricing and availability may vary by device).
* Checklist saves customers the time and stress of forgetting something at the last minute before they embark on their summer getaways and allows customers to create multiple lists and e-mail them for backup (available for $1 in Palm App Catalog).

Enjoying Time Away

* Urbanspoon gives customers a localized community of restaurant reviews and ratings (available in Android Market and BlackBerry App World).
* Geodelic for Android devices allows customers to effortlessly browse their locations to find java joints, banks, restaurants and other area businesses (available in Android Market).
* WeatherBug Elite helps customers with Palm smartphones stay up to date on weather conditions wherever they travel and alerts them to severe weather warnings based on their locations (pricing and availability may vary by device).

Customers can find these apps on Verizon Wireless’ ever-expanding family of Android devices, including DROID Incredible by HTC, and on BlackBerry® and Palm® smartphones such as the BlackBerry Bold™ 9650 smartphone and Palm Pre™ Plus and Palm Pixi™ Plus.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

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Most Reliable Wireless Network Just Got Better In Portions Of Lake County, Ohio Tweet

Integration of Verizon Wireless’ and Alltel’s Networks Delivers Increased Wireless Voice and Data Coverage to the Area.

PAINESVILLE, OH — Verizon Wireless announced it has completed the integration of its network with that of Alltel in Painesville, Fairmont and Madison, Ohio, to provide customers with clearer reception, fewer dropped calls and more coverage, including stronger in-building coverage.

Verizon Wireless’ voice and high-speed 3G data network combined with that of Alltel creates the largest wireless network footprint in the United States. The integration in this area enables more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; view high-quality videos; and download music, games and ringtones on the nation’s most reliable wireless network.

“The addition of Alltel’s network to the Verizon Wireless network provides our customers with unmatched coverage in the area,” said Mark Frazier, president –Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “Now our high-speed 3G broadband wireless network is the largest and most reliable in the United States, and network reliability is the No. 1 reason customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless. We are committed to continuing to perfect our network so that our customers in Ohio know they can depend on us every time they use their wireless devices.”

Verizon Wireless has been preparing to integrate Alltel’s network since completing its purchase of the company last year. Alltel’s 3G data network has been upgraded to the latest revision of wireless broadband technology to enable faster delivery of data applications, including email and browsing the Internet.

Verizon Wireless prepares its network year-round to ensure customers can use their wireless devices when they need them most. The company has spent more than $59 billion since it was formed – $5.7 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.6 billion on improvements to its network in Ohio.

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Verizon Wireless Hiring 200 At Henrietta Call Center Tweet

• At least 200 customer care and tech support reps to be hired in 2010
• Growing customer base driving need for additional skilled employees
• Full-time positions include generous benefits package

ROCHESTER, NY — Verizon Wireless plans to hire at least 200 full-time customer care and technical support representatives at its Henrietta call center by the end of 2010. The jobs are in addition to 205 reps hired in 2009.

“As our customer base grows and the devices and services they use become more sophisticated, providing an outstanding customer experience becomes even more important,” said Russ Preite, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region. “We’ve been fortunate to continue to find top-quality, highly skilled talent in the Rochester area. Today’s announcement further endorses our commitment to Rochester and to maintaining superior customer service for our customers.”

The call center currently employs nearly 1,200 representatives taking calls from customers both locally and nationwide. That’s up from 100 reps the call center employed when Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000. The company employs more than 1,400 people in the Rochester area at its Upstate New York Region headquarters and call center, network engineering facility, and in its 12 local retail locations.

The new full-time positions will offer highly competitive salaries and benefits including health, dental and vision coverage that begin on the first day of employment, a 401(k) program with a 6 percent company match of the employee’s contribution, annual bonus program, profit sharing, merit increases, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, an on-site health and wellness facility, and much more.

Nationally, Verizon Wireless has received many prestigious awards including being named to Working Mother magazine's list of 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers for nine consecutive years, and being listed among IDG’s Computerworld annual Best Places to Work in IT list; BusinessWeek’s Best Company To Launch A Career list; LATINA Style’s list of the 50 Best Companies for Latinas to work for in the U.S; Black Enterprise magazine’s list of 40 Best Companies for Diversity; and the National Association of Female Executive’s list of Top 50 Companies for Executive Women.

To apply online, go to www.verizonwireless.com/careers.

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