Families in Maryland and Virginia Connect on Mother's Day Using the Verizon Wireless Network

LAUREL, Md., May 5 /PRNewswire/ --

• Free wireless calls via Skype Mobile, Skype Internet, global and wireless devices
• Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus smartphones on sale for $29.99 as part of the Mother's Day promotion
• Donate a no-longer-used wireless phone to the company's HopeLine community relations program, and help women who are struggling with domestic abuse have a better Mother's Day

Verizon Wireless, provider of the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network, today announced it will provide "Free Calls to Mom" on Mother's Day weekend.  All weekend long, Verizon Wireless will provide free wireless calls at participating stores to anywhere around the globe, helping families connect with each other even when geography prevents them from being together. Last Mother's Day, Verizon Wireless customers stayed in touch with more than 1.7 billion text messages, and 18 million picture and video messages

"Mother's Day is traditionally a time for families to get together and express their appreciation for Mom," said Mike Maiorana, Verizon Wireless regional president.  "Verizon Wireless is lending a hand to those families that don't have the opportunity to share the day in person and giving them the ability to connect, no matter where in the world they may be. By providing access to our entire line-up of products and services, we hope families will at least be able to tell Mom 'Happy Mother's Day' even if they aren't able to see her."

Customers can make free calls Saturday, May 8, and Sunday, May 9, at select Verizon Wireless Communications stores throughout Maryland and Virginia. Each store will have a series of devices to use for a limited time, including smartphones that use Skype mobile, and video conference via Skype Internet will be available.  Participating stores include:

Virginia

• Military Highway, 1094 N. Military Hwy., Norfolk, VA  23502
• Hampton Coliseum, 93 Coliseum Crossing, Hampton, VA  23666
• Potomac Mills, 13020 Worth Ave., Woodbridge, VA  22192
• Mechanicsville, 7264B Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, VA  23111
• West Broad St., 7720 West Broad St., Richmond, VA  23294

Maryland

• Baltimore City, 1002 Fleet St., Baltimore, MD  21202
• Catonsville, 6220 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD  21228
• Woodyard Center, 8919 Woodyard Rd., Clinton, MD  20735
• Gaithersburg, 472 N Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD  20877

Additionally, Verizon Wireless is offering a limited-time only rebate on two popular smartphones. The Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus can be purchased for $29.99 until May 10, 2010, and Palm Pre Plus buyers can take advantage of a Buy One, Get One Free offer, making great gifts for Moms that are constantly on the "go." Phones require new 2-year activation on voice plan with $29.99 data package or higher.  Activation fees, taxes and other charges apply.

Customers can also donate a no-longer-used wireless phone to the company's HopeLine community relations program, and help women who are struggling with domestic abuse have a better Mother's Day. For more information on Verizon Wireless, please visit www.verizonwireless.com or call 1-800-2-JOIN IN.  Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWPRDC.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD).  For more information, visit 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless