BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 19 -- This winter, drop in and hit the slopes -- but don't drop your call! It may be chilly outside when heading to the mountains for holiday skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and other cold weather fun, but Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, is warmed up and ready to handle increased call volume this winter sports season.

Verizon Wireless' ongoing investments and enhancements of its network ensure customers can stay connected -- from ski mountain to ski mountain across the country. Snow lovers can also enjoy Verizon Wireless' popular voice and data services including Get It Now(R) productivity applications, V CAST games and more.

Verizon Wireless has regularly invested in its nationwide network to provide the nation's most reliable wireless service. Recently, Verizon Wireless added new cell sites and enhanced its network to increase coverage and capacity at ski destinations, including:

  * Aspen, Colorado -- added new cell site
  * Loveland, Colorado -- added new cell site
  * Purgatory, Colorado -- added new cell site
  * Steamboat Springs, Colorado -- added new cell site
  * Vail, Colorado -- added new cell site
  * Arizona Snowbowl -- added new cell site
  * Flagstaff, Arizona -- expanded EV-DO network to ski area
  * West Mountain, New York -- expanded EV-DO network to ski area

In addition, Verizon Wireless has made sure its network is bundled up on the routes that are main thoroughfares for skiers headed north to New England "cold" spots, including:

  * Western Massachusetts, along Interstate 91 -- Increased coverage and
    capacity along the Mass Pike, I-91, Routes 5, 7 and 20 junctions, as
    well as MA-116 and MA-47
  * Vermont, along Interstates 91 and 89 -- Activated cell sites in Berlin,
    Burlington, Derby Hyde Park, Newbury, St. Johnsbury, Thetford and
    Wallingford
  * Maine -- Added more than 75 new cell sites across the state

Snow, sleet or hail, Verizon Wireless customers can turn to their phones for all the latest winter wonderland news and information. Make sure your family gets there safely and on time with Rand McNally Traffic, available on select Get It Now-enabled phones with a $3.99 monthly subscription. View personalized traffic maps with real-time speed data and incident information, and get real-time information on accidents, congestion, construction, road closures, event delays, toll plaza backup and more.

With WeatherBug(R), the largest live weather network provider, customers can check out the conditions on the mountains before they hit the trail with live streaming local weather data, severe weather alerts, detailed forecasts, real-time weather cameras, photos and more. For just $2.99 monthly subscription on select Get It Now-enabled handsets, WeatherBug customers will be on top of their skiing forecasts before they snap on their boots.

Looking for that new mountain resort, or the closest apres-ski hot spot? Find more than 14 million points of interest, including restaurants, ATMs and gas stations, with VZ Navigator(SM), available exclusively from Verizon Wireless. VZ Navigator provides Location Base Services such as mapping and audible turn-by-turn navigation for $2.99 for daily use or for $9.99 monthly access. Now through December 31, 2006, customers can get a free download of a 14-day trial use of VZ Navigator.

Still planning your family trip? Make sure you've got all the gear you need. Pocket Auctions for eBay(R) lets you bid, buy, compare prices, and search on eBay(R) for all your frosty weather accessories, from jackets to goggles to gloves -- all from your mobile phone! View pictures, read item descriptions, check on items you're bidding on, watching, and selling in My eBay(R), and receive automatic phone alerts when you are outbid or when your items sell. Pocket Auctions for eBay is available on certain Get It Now handsets for $3.99 monthly subscription.

If you can't make it to the mountain, have the mountain come to you with Massive Snowboarding, the 3D V CAST mobile game that puts miles of powder in the palm of your hand. Easily downloaded on select V CAST-enabled phones, Massive Snowboarding lets customer bust a move off of four beautifully rendered mountains and eight courses fully-stocked with ramps, rails and half- pipes. Massive Snowboarding is available for $8.99 unlimited use purchase, or $3.49 monthly subscription.

Charges for Get It Now and V CAST applications and content vary and airtime charges may apply when browsing, downloading and/or using these services. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled phone and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store. Customers must be in an EV-DO coverage area to access V CAST over the air.

Verizon Wireless is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer satisfaction by providing a positive wireless experience to its 57 million customers. The company has invested $35 billion in the last seven years -- $5 billion on average every year since the company was formed -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

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

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 57 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 60,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at 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