CellPhoneStuff.net

TAMPA, FL — Verizon Wireless announced that it has completed key milestones in seamlessly converting former Alltel customers to Verizon Wireless service in Florida. These efforts include welcoming these customers onto the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and data network, rebranding and remodeling 21 retail stores in Florida, and managing a multi-million dollar conversion of network operations across the state. Verizon Wireless acquired Alltel in January.

Customers
Former Alltel customers in Florida already have been added to the Verizon Wireless Mobile to Mobile Calling family, and may now call any of the company’s more than 87 million customers without using plan minutes. Other customer benefits include:

•Service on the nation’s most reliable voice and data network, supported by a team of real-life test men and women driving the local roads to test network performance.
•Faster speeds when accessing the Internet, email and corporate data on the Verizon Wireless EV-DO Rev.A network.
•Best-in-class devices including the BlackBerry® Storm™, Tour TM and other global smartphones and many more devices.
•High-value services, such as Friends and Family® (formerly My Circle), and other services like Push-To-Talk, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody.
“We’re excited to welcome all these new customers, communities and stores into the Verizon Wireless circle of friends and family,” said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless. “When they see that Verizon Wireless logo on their phone or on the storefront, these customers can feel confident they’re getting the most reliable and best service in the business.”

Retail stores and branding
Across the state, 21 former Alltel retail store locations now display Verizon Wireless signs, products and materials for customers. Advertising and promotions in these markets also have been converted to the Verizon Wireless brand.

Full remodeling work on the retail stores is ongoing – featuring Verizon Wireless “Evolution” design elements, including large demo bars, technical support counters, electronic greeter kiosks and more — to streamline and enhance the overall customer experience.

These renovations and enhancements are expected to be complete at all stores by the end of this year.

Network
Network conversion is another major aspect of the Alltel to Verizon Wireless merger. More than 700 former Alltel cell sites and several large switching facilities across Florida are being upgraded and reconfigured to work as part of the larger and more advanced Verizon Wireless network. The high-speed Verizon Wireless EV-DO Rev A network is the nation’s largest, most reliable wireless 3G broadband network.

The massive, multi-million dollar Alltel-to-Verizon Wireless network conversion is expected to be completed throughout the state by 2011 This work is part of the company’s ongoing investment to keep improving and strengthening coverage and services for all Florida customers. Verizon Wireless has spent nearly $2 billion on network enhancements throughout the state since 2000 when the company was formed.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: 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.