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BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and SAN DIEGO, CA — Utility companies seeking sophisticated communications platforms to support access to energy usage data and advance their smart grid projects at the Smart Grid Technology Conference & Expo 2010 this week should look to the wireless company with the largest, most reliable 3G data network.

“The utilities industry is faced with many challenges as it moves towards the future of the smart grid, so careful consideration must be paid when selecting a wireless provider to support everything from smart meters to field force automation solutions,” said Mike Wojcik, Enterprise Data Sales Director for Verizon Wireless. “Verizon Wireless offers the reliability, interoperability and longevity required to keep up with the demands of this evolving technology, equipping our utilities customers with the tools needed to support today’s critical smart grid projects.”

Verizon Wireless partners with technology vendors, such as Itron Inc. and Ambient Corporation, to offer comprehensive smart grid communications solutions for the utilities industry. Itron’s OpenWay® Cell Relay and Ambient’s Open Smart Grid Communications Architecture are examples of solutions operating on the Verizon Wireless network that support secure, efficient two-way collection, analysis and management of energy data to promote more reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly operations.

In addition to wireless machine-to-machine (M2M) communications across multiple components of the grid for wireless meters, Verizon Wireless also provides utilities with solutions in the following areas:

• Security to protect grid communications – With the most reliable 3G wireless data network in the country and enterprise-grade solutions, utility companies are assured that energy data is transmitted securely over the Verizon Wireless network.
• Ability to manage large volume data movement – Rather than building a small network that cannot handle the explosive amounts of energy data that need to be transmitted, utilities can depend on Verizon Wireless to send and receive information on the nation’s largest wireless data network.
• Fleet management and field force automation applications – Fleet Administrator for fleet management and Field Force Manager for mobile workforce management can help utility companies run more efficiently and reduce costs. Additionally, Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband customers now have access to third-party applications that leverage Location-Based Services (LBS) for navigation, in-vehicle tracking, geo-fencing and more.
• Success with interoperability and national deployments – Verizon Wireless offers the ability to seamlessly integrate wireless solutions with existing communications infrastructure. For instance, the new Dynamic Mobile Network Routing solution allows enterprise utilities customers to extend their Wide Area Network (WAN) beyond a company firewall to integrate their wireline and wireless networks.
• Experienced field technical staff – Verizon Wireless has a network of experienced technical staff throughout the United States. Utilities customers also have access to representatives who specialize in wireless technology for their industries.

Additionally, this year, Verizon Wireless plans to launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless services in 25 to 30 markets nationally. LTE will support the future of smart grid technology by offering customers significantly greater network capacity than today’s most advanced 3G coverage.

Utility professionals at the Smart Grid Technology Conference & Expo 2010 in San Diego can attend a presentation by Wojcik titled, “How are Wireless Carriers Revving Up Their Offerings to Build a Robust Network?” on June 3.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services for utilities, visit www.verizonwireless.com or contact a Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

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.