Verizon Wireless Announces 3G Network Now Available to Consumers in Atlanta, GA; New VCAST Wireless Multimedia Service Available February 1

VCAST Brings Current News, Weather, Sports and Entertainment Video Clips and Cutting-Edge3-D Games to 3G Handsets

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to build on its strategy to provide its customers superior wireless services in the United States, Verizon Wireless announced today the consumer launch of its Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) third generation (3G) wide-area network in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Verizon Wireless' 3G EV-DO network enables BroadbandAccess -- the fastest wide-area wireless Internet access service available in the nation and first launched in Atlanta to business customers in September 2004 --- and will now enable VCAST, the nation's first 3G wireless multimedia service for consumers, beginning on February 1, 2005. The company made the announcement today from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Starting February 1, Verizon Wireless customers in the metro Atlanta area will be able to use new handsets to access VCAST's video on-demand service, viewing current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming. They will also be able to download and play cutting-edge three-dimensional games on powerful new handsets. Customers will be able to watch music videos and short programs specifically designed for mobile phones and other video applications on their handsets.

"The launch of VCAST provides Verizon Wireless customers in Atlanta with the latest and greatest in mobile wireless data technology, enabling them to stay connected, informed and entertained via their wireless phone, 24 hours a day seven days a week," said Jim McGean, regional president for Verizon Wireless.

Customers in Atlanta will be able to access VCAST through the Verizon Wireless Get It Now(R) virtual store on select new Verizon Wireless handsets, including the LG VX8000. When the service is available on February 1, customers can expect video and games from a variety of familiar and popular sources, including new content and hot new short programs designed specifically for mobile phones.

For $15.00 monthly access in addition to their regular Verizon Wireless calling plan, VCAST customers get unlimited access to a wide array of more than 300 daily updated videos from leading content providers. Verizon Wireless VCAST customers also receive unlimited browsing of Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0 news and information service. In addition, customers can choose from premium content, available for an additional cost, that includes 3-D games, music videos and other premium channels.

VCAST's array of hot new multimedia programming is located in the Get It Now virtual store - customers can access video from favorite news, sports and entertainment providers in the getFLIX shopping aisle and check out new cutting-edge 3-D games in the getGAMES aisle. VCAST also gives customers unlimited access to browse and view applications in the other familiar Get It Now shopping aisles -- such as getTONES and getGOING.

The Verizon Wireless EV-DO 3G network initially launched commercially more than one year ago with BroadbandAccess wireless Internet access service for business customers and mobile professionals. BroadbandAccess boasts average user speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps), and enables users to remain productive and connected whether they're at home, a meeting across town or on the road. BroadbandAccess customers can connect via laptop to the Internet, corporate intranet, email and attachments all at high speed.

Verizon Wireless also announced today that BroadbandAccess is now available in the following cities: Chicago; Houston; Boston; Phoenix; Cincinnati; Orlando, FL; Columbus and Dayton, OH; Providence, RI; Jacksonville, FL; Hartford and New Haven, CT. In addition to Atlanta, Verizon Wireless is expanding its existing 3G EV-DO network in the following markets: New York; Newark, NJ; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Miami, Tampa and West Palm Beach, FL; Baltimore, MD; Kansas City, MO; Milwaukee, WI. Verizon Wireless plans to expand its 3G EV-DO network to cover 150 million Americans by the end of 2005.

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