Verizon Wireless Launches the World's Largest 4G LTE Wireless Network on Dec. 5

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless announced today it is turning on the world's first large-scale 4G LTE network on Sunday, Dec. 5.  Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network will be the fastest and most advanced 4G network in America.  Business users will be the first to take advantage of the 4G LTE network with speeds up to 10 times faster than the company's 3G network.

With the launch, Verizon Wireless is also offering new value-priced 4G LTE Mobile Broadband data plans starting at $50 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance, as well as two new 4G LTE USB modems: the LG VL600 which will be available at launch, and the Pantech UML290, available soon.  

Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless, said, "Beginning Sunday, Verizon Wireless is making the best network even better.  Our initial 4G LTE launch gives customers access to the fastest and most advanced mobile network in America and immediately reaches more than one-third of all Americans, right where they live.  That's just the start.  We will quickly expand 4G LTE, and by 2013 will reach the existing Verizon Wireless 3G coverage area."

Road warriors using laptops will immediately benefit from Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network with super-fast connectivity that's up to 10 times faster than the company's current 3G network.  The company expects 4G LTE average data rates in real-world, loaded network environments to be 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.  

Mead continued, "We are building our 4G LTE network with the same commitment to performance and reliability for which we have long been recognized.  Our commitment to superior network performance, combined with broad 4G coverage areas and the strong value of our data plans make 4G LTE Mobile Broadband the best choice for laptop users."

4G LTE Mobile Broadband Data Plans, Devices and Coverage Areas

Verizon Wireless customers can choose from two 4G LTE Mobile Broadband data plans: $50 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance or $80 monthly access for 10 GB monthly allowance, both with $10/GB overage.  For laptop connectivity, two 4G LTE USB modems will be initially available: the LG VL600 is available at launch and the Pantech UML290 will be available soon, each $99.99 after $50 rebate with a new two-year agreement.  Both USB modems provide backward-compatibility with Verizon Wireless' 3G network.  If laptop users travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, they will automatically stay connected on the company's 3G network.  

The two modems harness the power of the company's 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network to help enterprise, business and government customers make their workforces more productive, providing super-fast laptop connectivity.  Both modems will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, by phone by calling 1-800-256-4646 and through the company's business sales channels.  

The company expects consumer-oriented handsets will be available by mid-2011.

Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network is initially launching in 38 major metropolitan areas and in more than 60 commercial airports coast to coast – at both airports within the launch areas plus airports in other key cities.   Street level coverage area maps will be available online on Dec. 5.  Today, customers can go to www.verizonwireless.com/4Glte to check if their addresses will be in the initial 4G LTE coverage area.  

Spectrum and Network Partners

By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage.  Verizon Wireless' primary 4G LTE network vendors, Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, are providing the underlying infrastructure for the 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.  

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.  

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 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.

NOTE: This press release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties.  For those statements, which may include or be preceded by such words as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this presentation and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise them for any reason.

The following important factors, in addition to those discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 333-160446), could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: changes in economic conditions; our ability to complete transactions relating to acquisitions and dispositions, including the integration of the Alltel business; changes in the ratings of our debt securities or those of Verizon Communications; adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting cost or availability of financing sufficient to meet our capital requirements; our ability to acquire and retain customers; our continued provision of satisfactory service to our customers at an acceptable price; the effects of competition; our ability to adapt to changing conditions in the wireless industry; the ability of our key suppliers to meet their obligations to us; the effects of material changes in available technology, including technology substitution and the cost of deployment; the impact of continued unionization efforts with respect to our employees; adverse regulatory and taxation developments; the effects of litigation; the impact of equipment failures, natural disasters, terrorist acts or other breaches of network or information technology security; and the effects of any required future changes in accounting assumptions.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless