Verizon Wireless Text Messages Zip Along Marathon Route

Overall Number of Text Messages Increases 213% Over Previous Monday

WILMINGTON, Mass., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As athletes raced 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston today, many spectators communicated news of their progress via text message. On Marathon Monday, text messages sent and received along the marathon route increased 213% over the previous Monday (April 14), with the largest volume of text messages exchanged between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.

The increase in text messages handled via the Verizon Wireless network at specific key points along the marathon route between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. illustrates both the incredible spectator draw of the race, as well as the growing popularity of texting:

% Increase When Compared to
Location Previous Monday (April 14)
Starting line in Hopkinton +156%
Heartbreak Hill +217%
Kenmore Square +1,445%
Finish Line in Boston +89%

In February of 2008, Verizon Wireless customers sent and received more than 20 billion messages nationwide. Verizon Wireless has invested nearly $44 billion since it was formed to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network. Regionally the company has invested nearly $2.2 billion into its New England network, including over $292 million in 2007 alone.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Michael Murphy of Verizon Wireless, +1-781-932-1213 or Anne
Elise O'Connor of Thomson Communications, +1-617-548-2765

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

2008-04-21 19:03:05 0341216 PRNEWSWIRE